River Birch

Illustratin of river birch leaves, flowers, fruits.
Scientific Name
Betula nigra
Family
Betulaceae (birches)
Description

River birch is a medium-sized tree with an irregular, broad, spreading crown. It often has multiple trunks.

Leaves are alternate, simple, somewhat triangular to egg-shaped, 1½–3½ inches long, 1–2 inches wide; margins densely toothed; upper surface shiny dark green, lower surface whitish, very hairy.

Bark is distinctive: reddish-brown or grayish, peeling into conspicuous papery strips exposing a light pinkish-tan or cinnamon-brown inner bark; pores elongated.

Twigs on new growth are very hairy, gradually turning smooth; in the second year, dark red, slender, shiny, dull reddish-brown.

Flowering is in April–May, male catkins formed the year before, becoming 1–3½ inches long; female catkins formed from buds of the previous year, about ½ inch long, upright; flowering as the leaves appear; wind-pollinated.

Fruit mature in May–June, barrel-shaped, 1½ inches long, ½ inch wide, the nutlet about ⅛ inch long.

Size

Height: to 80 feet.

Where To Find
image of River Birch distribution map

Statewide.

Occurs in moist ground along streams and gravel bars. It is also used commonly in landscaping. Intolerant of competition. When shaded, stagnates and dies. It does not tolerate prolonged flooding and is not found on broad river bottoms of big rivers that are subject to flooding. River birch is the only spring seed-dispersing member of its family. The attractive bark and its resistance to borers make river birch good for landscaping.

Our only native birch; commonly used in landscaping and erosion control.

Native Americans and Europeans made birch beer from the sap of this species. The inner bark was used for dying fabric. The wood has been used for woodenware, furniture, and more. It has long been a favorite of landscapers, who commonly plant it in groupings in yards and along streams and ponds.

A pioneer species, it rapidly colonizes exposed, bare stream banks and gravel bars, stabilizing the soil and developing a forest for other trees to succeed. The seeds are eaten by songbirds and mice; the twigs are eaten by deer. Beavers use it to make their dens.

Media Gallery
Illustratin of river birch leaves, flowers, fruits.
River birch (Betula nigra).
Paul Nelson
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river birch
Jim Rathert
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Illustratin of river birch leaves, flowers, fruits.
river birch
Similar Species

Where to See Species

Blackwater Bridge Access
Blackwater Bridge Access
This area has a boat ramp and provides boat launch access to the Blackwater River.

Camping is not allowed on the area.
Mint Spring
Mint Spring Conservation Area
Mint Springs CA is across the highway from Mint Springs Access in Gasconade County. Forests in this area are dominated by white oak and hickory with dogwood and serviceberry in the understory.
About Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines in Missouri
There are no sharp dividing lines between trees, shrubs, and woody vines, or even between woody and nonwoody plants. “Wood” is a type of tissue made of cellulose and lignin that many plants develop as they mature — whether they are “woody” or not. Trees are woody plants over 13 feet tall with a single trunk. Shrubs are less than 13 feet tall, with multiple stems. Vines require support or else sprawl over the ground.