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Betula nigra &
Betula nigra &
Betula nigra &
Betula nigra &

river birch

Betula nigra 'Cully'

syn. Betula nigra HERITAGE

River Birch is the most adaptable and heat tolerant of all the birches, and 'Cully' is the most disease resistant and adaptable within that group. It will grow in waterlogged to dry soils, resists borers and leaf miner (a big problem with birches!), and is extremely hardy. The extraordinarily showy salmon-cream-brown bark exfoliates to reveal a creamy-white interior that rivals the best European birches.

This is a fast growing tree that deserves a home in every landscape.

Native to Central and Eastern United States.

Distinctions: Winner of a Gold Medal Award by the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society; Named Urban Tree of The Year for 2002 by the Urban & Community Forestry Society; Great Plant Picks

Zones: 4 to 9
Family: Betulaceae
Type: Deciduous Tree
Height: 40 to 70 ft.
Spread: 40 to 60 ft.
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Conditions: Average, medium, well-drained soil
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: Brown (male) and green (female)
Native Range: eastern half of the US

Special Characteristics
  • Juglone tolerant
  • Winter interest
  • Beautiful bark
  • Outstanding fall color
  • Natural dye plant
image credits

Images 1 (bark) Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 2 (foliage) Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 3 (fall color) Wikimedia Commons

Betula nigra &
Betula nigra &
Betula nigra &
Betula nigra &