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Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ (River Birch)

River Birch 'Heritage', Black Birch 'Heritage', Betula nigra 'Cully', River Birch 'Cully'

Betula nigra 'Heritage', River Birch 'Heritage', Black Birch 'Heritage', Betula nigra 'Cully', River Birch 'Cully', Tree with fall color, Fall color, Attractive bark Tree

Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ is a beautiful river birch prized for its incredible peeling bark. Salmon-cream to brownish at first, it exfoliates to reveal a creamy-white inner bark that can almost rival the European white birches. Vigorous and fast-growing, this medium-sized deciduous tree has a large, pyramidal, upright habit. The foliage of diamond-shaped, serrated bright green leaves deepens to dark green as the season progresses before turning pale yellow in fall. It can be grown as either a single-trunk or a multi-stemmed tree. Perfect for wet soils, ‘Heritage’ can tolerate locations with drier soils and is extremely resistant to bronze birch borer and leaf spot diseases.

  • Grows up to 40-70 ft. tall (12-21 m) and 40-60 ft. tall (12-18 m).
  • A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, wet soils. Adaptable and heat tolerant, this river birch will grow in a wide range of situations, including semi-aquatic conditions, but performs best in moist, slightly acidic soils. Use soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant or in borders, along ponds and streams, cottage gardens, and foundation plantings.
  • Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running.
  • May be affected by sawflies, aphids, rust, and leaf spot.
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting
  • Native to central and eastern USA

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Betulaceae
Genus Betula
Common names River Birch, Birch
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 40' - 70'
(12.2m - 21.3m)
Spread 40' - 60'
(12.2m - 18.3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Betula populifolia (Gray Birch)
Betula nana (Dwarf Birch)
Betula pumila (Bog Birch)
Betula alleghaniensis (Yellow Birch)
Betula lenta (Sweet Birch)
Betula platyphylla (Japanese White Birch)

Recommended Companion Plants

Euphorbia wallichii (Wallich Spurge)
Cenolophium denudatum (Baltic Parsley)
Astrantia major ‘Roma’ (Great Masterwort)
Hosta (Plantain Lily)
Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)
Astilbe

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Betula (Birch) – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
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Betula (Birch)
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Shrubs and Trees with Attractive Winter Bark
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Betulaceae
Genus Betula
Common names River Birch, Birch
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 40' - 70'
(12.2m - 21.3m)
Spread 40' - 60'
(12.2m - 18.3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Betula (Birch)
Guides with
Betula (Birch)
Not sure which Betula (Birch) to pick?
Compare Now

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