Betula nigra
Black birch, River birch, Red birch
- Height × spread
- 2m – 12m × 1.5m – 5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Black birch is loved for its bark, orange/red brown when young, becoming dark brown/black, peeling off in thin papery layers. Yellow catkins appear in spring and leaves turn warm autumnal shades before falling. Often multi-stemmed, making an attractive rounded shape. Eye-catching planted with silver birch. Some grow to 25m tall, though more compact forms are available. Tolerant of wet conditions.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone, Fan
- Height
- 2m – 12m
- Spread
- 1.5m – 5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
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Betula albosinensis
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