PlantsTrees
River Birch
Betula nigra
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Multi-season bark tree for moist soil Fits Edible Landscapes, Native Plant Gardens and Rain Gardens.
Edible LandscapesNative Plant GardensRain GardensEasyTreesAlso Rain GardenRain garden
- Light
- Full sun–part shade
- Moisture
- Medium–moist
- Mature size
- 25–45 ft
- Spacing
- 20–35 ft
- Bloom or harvest
- Catkins spring; exfoliating bark
- How it spreads
- Medium-large tree
- What to buy
- Container or balled-and-burlapped; bare-root in early spring.
- When to plant
- Early Apr–May after soil thaws and drains; Sep–mid Oct for container/B&B. Bare-root: early spring.
In the design
Confirm overhead and underground clearance before planting; keep large trees north or west of food beds to reduce shade.
