River Birch vs Water Birch (Red Birch) - TreeTime.ca

River Birch vs Water Birch (Red Birch)

Betula occidentalis

Betula nigra

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

no image
River Birch

Water Birch, also known as Red Birch, is a waterside plant native to western North America. This multi-stemmed species is ideal for wetlands. It tolerates being planted in heavy clay and wet soil conditions.

This tree grows small enough for yards with limited space.

It is an attractive ornamental with reddish non-peeling bark.

Note: Unfortunately this difficult to grow species is not currently scheduled to grow at TreeTime.ca. Perhaps try purchasing seed from SeedTime.ca and growing your own? Or sign up for a restock notification above.

River Birch has beautiful, peeling, brown bark that reveals camel-colored and pink beneath. It is more borer resistant than white bark birches, which makes it a much longer-lived landscape tree.

Water Birch (Red Birch) Quick Facts

River Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: low


Bark: non-peeling, shiny, reddish brown and marked with white horizontal streaks
Bark: dark gray-brown or pinkish-brown and scaly
Seeds: tiny winged seeds located within the catkins
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes


Other Names: red birch
Other Names: black birch, water birch