River Birch Tree Characteristics

The river birch is the single species of birch tree native to lower elevations in the Southeastern portion of the United States. It grows typically along brooks, streams and rivers and in flooded bottom lands.

Geography

The river birch grows in the wild in the Atlantic Coast states, the lower parts of the Midwestern states, the lower portion of the Mississippi Valley and the eastern regions of the Great Plains.

Size

The river birch characteristically grows as high as 80 feet and can have a trunk three feet across.

Bark

The bark of the river birch is flaky and dark but easily strips away to reveal a much lighter cream-colored inner layer.

Leaves

The triangular leaves of the river birch are about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. The base is broad and the leaf tapers to a pointed end; these leaves will flutter in even a mild breeze.

Monoecious

River birches are monoecious species of trees, meaning the same tree will produce male and female flowers. The male flowers, called catkins, stay on the branches of the tree through winter before warm weather causes them to swell.

Strobile

Once pollination between the flowers occur, a fruit known as a strobile in birches can develop in the spring.

References

• Ohio Department of Natural Resources Website
• A Guide to Field Identification-Trees of North America; C. Frank Brockman; 1986