NAMING
Scientific Name: Betula nigra
Family: Betulaceae
Common: river birch
HABITAT
Native
Habitat: Moist swamps, low-ground areas
Range: Eastern US
TREE TRUNK
Size: Up to 90ft tall
Bark: rarely straight, reddish brown
Twigs: thin, reddish brown, 2-ranked
LEAVES
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: doubly serrated
Leaf shape: triangular or diamond shape
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches long
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf color: dark green above, glaucous below
Leaf persistence: deciduous
REPRODUCTION
Flowers: not showy
Fruit: two-winged nutlets
USES
Commercial – furniture, veneers, horticulture
TOLERANCES
Fire – No
Salt – No
Drought – Low
Flood – Medium
Shade – No
UF Dendrology 