Images of the River Birch (Betula nigra)

River Birch

Betula nigra

Sometimes called Water Birch, this deciduous tree is commonly found in swamps throughout its native range in the eastern United States. This species grows up to 25 m tall and can have multiple trunks. Unlike other birches, this species produces fruits in the spring. Native Americans used the boiled sap of this tree as a sweetener.

Habitat:Low to medium elevations, common along streams.

Growth Habit:Deciduous, rapid-growing tree, up to 21 m tall with divided trunk.

Bloom Time:Mid-spring.

Longevity:Moderate.

Presence in US:AL AR CT DC DE FL GA IA IL IN KS KY LA MA MD MN MO MS NC NH NJ NY OH OK PA SC TN TX VA WI WV

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This project was supported in part by NSF Grant IIS-03-25867 (ITR: An Electronic Field Guide: Plant Exploration and Discovery in the 21st Century) and by the Washington Biologists' Field Club.

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