River Birch vs Ironwood Tree - TreeTime.ca

River Birch vs Ironwood Tree

Ostrya virginiana

Betula nigra

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Ironwood Tree
River Birch

Ironwood Tree is one of the strongest and most resilient trees you will find in North America. In fact, it has the hardest and most dense wood of any North American tree. Prized for its oval shaped canopy and showy winter trunk, this striking shade tree will make a beautiful addition to any yard. Make sure you do not plant near roads as it is highly salt sensitive.

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.

Ironwood Tree Quick Facts

River Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


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


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: black birch, water birch