River Birch vs Tulip Poplar - TreeTime.ca

River Birch vs Tulip Poplar

Liriodendron tulipifera

Betula nigra

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Tulip Poplar
River Birch

Tulip Poplar is the perfect shade tree for wide open spaces. It has a shallow and extensive root system, so ensure you give it space to grow. The attractive and showy, yellow-orange, tulip shaped flowers are where this tree gets its name.

Tulip Poplar is somewhat rare in Canada but highly sought after as it is difficult to grow. Does best in a moist, well-drained soil.

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.

Tulip Poplar Quick Facts

River Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: low


Bark: dark gray-brown or pinkish-brown and scaly
Seeds: tiny winged seeds located within the catkins
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: ON
Other Names: black birch, water birch