River birch

River birch in front of Kline Tower
Basic Information
Tree ID: 
206
Family: 
Betulaceae
Genus and species: 
Betula nigra
Description: 
Alternate branching pattern, papery bark, peeling in the winter, no ridges, brown and gray bark during the winter
Surveyors: 
Andre Botero & Andrew Minagar
Location
Area: 
Prospect and Sachem
Collected Data
Tree shape: 
Oval
Date of tree entry: 
02/04/2026
Height: 
7.32 m
Diameter at breast height: 
0.31 m

Bark
Bark characteristics: peeling bark, brown and gray, alternate branching pattern, no ridges, papery texture In the spring, bark was redder and less gray; more pronounced peeling
Twigs & branches
Alternate branching pattern
Foilage
River birches have glossy green, simple diamond-shaped leaves with serrated edges in the summer; they turn yellow in the fall. It is a deciduous tree, so it loses its leaves in the winter and stays without leaves in the early spring.
Reproductive Structures
Staminate and pistillate are separate but plants are monoecious
Fruit
Winged nutlets are produced in late spring and early summer; they break apart to release the seeds
Seasons
  • River birch in front of Kline Tower - in winter
  • River birch in front of Kline Tower - in spring
Research
Natural range of distribution: 
Habitat: 
Southeastern US along Mississippi; Westernmost range in East Texas and Oklahoma, extends along eastern seaboard along the Hudson River Valley Wet, acidic soils, typically found along stream banks, flood plains, river banks, and in swampy bottomlands Map from USDA.gov
Origin, history, and uses: 

Native to the Eastern United States; Used in history for erosion control and to extract tar from its tree. Various indigenous peoples used the bark for crafting canoes, baskets, and storage containers. Bark decoctions were used for urinary issues. Early settlers used its tough wood for their shoes, and bark was helpful to cover structures since it is waterproof. 

Primary use of the river birch is for erosion control along riverbanks and for strip mine reclamation. The wood can also be used for inexpensive furniture and artificial limbs. It is used in urban planning as a resistant to pollution and the bronze birch borer, which can kill other species of birch. 

Phenology: 
Early spring flowering in March–April and late spring/early summer seed maturation in May–June. It is the only birch species that seeds in spring rather than fall. The tree is monoecious with wind-dispersed pollen released from male catkins that fertilizes smaller, erect female catkins. In the fall, leaves turn a characteristic brilliant yellow.
Shrub Canopy Area: 
119.20sq.m.

Comments

Andre Botero on April 23, 2026: