The Urban Pantheist

Urban species #041: River birch Betula nigra

In 2002 the river birch was chosen as the City Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists, for its "tolerance to the urban environment," as well as "its beautiful bark in summer and winter." I chose it for the same reasons, specifically because its distinctive bark makes it easy to recognize in wintertime. The colorful bark peels even more than the bark of paper birch. It lends the tree a shaggy appearance--river birch is warm and furry looking, whereas white birches look cold and bony.

River birch can survive growing in areas that are periodically flooded, like sandbars and riverbanks. They are more tolerant of heat than white birches, and more resistant to insect pests. Its tolerance of acidic soil is especially important for its survival in Northeastern cities.

River birches seeds are eaten by a variety of songbirds.

( two long pictures )