River Birch vs Kentucky Coffeetree - TreeTime.ca

River Birch vs Kentucky Coffeetree

Betula nigra

Gymnocladus dioicus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

River Birch
Kentucky Coffeetree

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.

The Kentucky Coffeetree has the largest leaves of any native tree in North America! In the summer, its large green canopy provides shade. While in the winter, its leathery bean pods act as a decorative element against the sky as they rattle in the wind. Beautiful year-round, this tree is an elegant addition to any landscape.

River Birch Quick Facts

Kentucky Coffeetree Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Height: 21 m (70 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


Toxicity: Uncooked pods are toxic to humans
Bark: dark gray-brown or pinkish-brown and scaly
Seeds: tiny winged seeds located within the catkins
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Other Names: black birch, water birch
Other Names: coffeetree