Scientific Name
Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ ‘Heritage River Birch’
River birch has become the principal landscape birch in this region following the decline of the weeping European white birch (Betula pendula) caused by bronze birch borers. Its native range extends from around New York City south along the Atlantic coast and remains mostly south of the Ohio and Missouri rivers. However, it also reaches north into eastern Iowa and follows the Mississippi River floodplain nearly as far north as Minneapolis.
In its native habitat, river birch can attain heights of 100 feet, though in cultivation only the largest specimens exceed 50 feet. The pointed leaves are 1.5 to 3.5 inches long with serrated margins, and the fall color is yellow. This tree commonly develops multiple trunks, sometimes referred to as a clump form. The flowers are catkins, with the male catkins pendulous and the female catkins upright. The seeds mature in late spring, much later than those of most other birches.
The bark is the tree’s major ornamental feature. It exfoliates in strips of tan, pinkish orange, orange brown and darker brown. The effect is most striking on younger branches, though as branches enlarge and begin developing fissures, the colorful strips may remain for many years along the intervening ridges. The ‘Heritage’ cultivar was selected for its improved tolerance of winter cold and for bark that is lighter and more attractive than that of the straight species.
The Regis tree, which stands 52 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 22 inches, has earned a place on the Colorado champion tree list in a tie for third place.