Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum

Scientific name: Betula nigra

Common name: river birch

Native: Yes

Native range: Native to the eastern United States [1,2,3,4].

Distribution in North America: Click to view the USDA Plants Database page for B. nigra.

USDA Zones: 4-9A [3]

Maximum age: River birch is short lived, surviving for a maximum of 40-50 years [6], but often only living to 30-40 years in urban plantings [3].

Ecology: The young foliage is browsed by white-tailed deer, and the seeds are consumed by birds and rodents [1,2,3]. The leaves also host the larvae of the mourning cloak butterfly [7].

Ethnobotany: Its tolerance for acidity lends it both to its use in soil-reclamation in strip-mining affected soils. It is also highly valued for its aesthetic value and is commonly planted in both parks and other green spaces [2,4]. The syrup can be used to create birch beer or vinegar [2]. Indigenous American groups use it as a pain reliever, gastrointestinal aid, and cold remedy [5].