YardRemake
A mature River Birch (Betula nigra) growing in a residential garden bedFlowering Trees

In the landscape

Mass plantingShade treeSpecimenLawnNaturalizedRiparianWoodlandButterfly

Data sources

River Birch

Betula nigra

River Birch is a fast-growing flowering tree, hardy in USDA zones 4-9, that matures to about 40-70 ft × 40-60 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect yellow and green blooms in spring. It attracts butterflies, moths and small mammals, stands up well to black walnut, compaction and deer.

USDA zones
4-9
Sun
Full sun, Part shade
Water
High
Mature size
40-70 ft × 40-60 ft
Growth rate
Fast
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet
Bloom color
Yellow, Green
Bloom season
Spring
Attracts
Butterflies, Moths, Small mammals, Songbirds
Tough against
Black walnut, Compaction, Deer, Drought, Fire, Heat, Pollution, Wet soil, Wind
Native to
Eastern United States

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score River Birch’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

See the River Birch in your own yard

Upload a photo and our AI designs with real plants like this one — matched to your USDA zone.

Related

More flowering trees