River Birch vs Tulip Tree - TreeTime.ca

River Birch vs Tulip Tree

Betula nigra

Liriodendron tulipifera

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

River Birch
Tulip Tree

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 Tree 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 Tree 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 Quick Facts

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Growth form: upright, oval to pyramidal
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: low
Suckering: none


Foliage: 4-lobed somewhat spade-shaped
Fall colour: golden yellow
Bark: dark gray-brown or pinkish-brown and scaly
Flowers: greenish yellow, tulip-shaped
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Seeds: tiny winged seeds located within the catkins
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: ON
Other Names: black birch, water birch
Other Names: canoewood, tulip poplar, tulip-poplar, tuliptree, yellow poplar