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Mark A. Miller
Betulaceae
Betula nigra 'Little King'(FOX VALLEY)
Little King River Birch
Little King river birch, also marketed as the Fox Valley birch, is a handsome 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. Like other birches, it has elongated catkins, which appear in spring, and its medium-green leaves turn a dirty yellow in the fall. One problem with river birch is its tendency to drop many fine branches on the ground, especially after storms.
A dwarf selection perfect for wet sites, 'Little King' can tolerate locations with drier soils. Its small size makes it useful in a foundation planting or mixed border. This species is more tolerant of heat than other birches and is resistant to birch borers.
9 - 1
4 - 9
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
Tree
Full Sun, Partial Sun
10'-14' / 3.0m - 4.3m
12'-14' / 3.7m - 4.3m
Spring
North-Central United States, Central United States
Acidic, Neutral
Average
Clay, Loam
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Fast
Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Showy
Yellow, Brown
Black
Green, Light Green
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
White, Copper, Tan, Sandy Brown, Ivory, Slate Gray
Multi-Color
No
Yes
Medium
Matte
Exfoliating
Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Shade Trees
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