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BETULA nigra (HERITAGE™)

Image of Betula nigra 'Cully' (HERITAGE™)

James H. Schutte

Family

Betulaceae

Botanical Name

BETULA nigra 'Cully'(HERITAGE™)

Plant Common Name

Heritage™ River Birch, River Birch

General Description

Heritage river birch is a handsome single or multi-stemmed, fast growing tree that is native to the central United States. Its most notable ornamental feature is its beautiful peeling bark that appears in mixed shades of rust-orange and brown. It has elongated catkins (pendant flower stalks) which appear in spring. Small cones with winged seeds follow in the late summer and fall. The larger-than-usual, glossy, medium-green leaves are diamond-shaped and have a double-toothed margin. The foliage turns bright yellow in the fall.

Heritage river birch is a great selection for wet sites but can tolerate locations with drier soils. It is a great street tree or specimen in the landscape. This cultivar is more tolerant of heat than other birches and is resistant to disease and birch borers.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    4 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 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

    Tree

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    40'-70' / 12.2m - 21.3m

  • Width

    30'-60' / 9.1m - 18.3m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring

  • Native To

    Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam

  • Tolerances

    Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Brown

  • Fruit Color

    Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Lemon Yellow

  • Bark Color

    White, Copper, Tan, Sandy Brown, Ivory, Slate Gray

  • Bark Color Modifier

    Multi-Color

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Exfoliating

  • Usage

    Bog Garden, Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Water Gardens

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No