Betula nigra L.

River Birch

Kingdom Plantae PlantsSubkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular PlantsSuperdivision Spermatophyta Seed PlantsDivision Magnoliophyta Flowering PlantsClass Magnoliopsida DicotyledonsSubclass HamamelididaeOrder FagalesFamily Betylaceae Birch FamilyGenus Betula L. BirchSpecies Betula nigra L. River birch

Classification

Figure 1: Classification Table

The River Birch is a deciduous tree that can grow from 40 to 50 feet high, often with multiple trunks. It is a narrow oval in shape when young, but with a fast growth rate as it matures the spread can be from 25 to 35 feet. [1]

Shape, Form, and Type

Figure 2: River Birch tree

The bark of a River birch is reddish brown in color, but can vary widely from creamy-brown, orange-brown, salmon, rust, cinnamon red, gray and many others. The bark peels off in film-like papery curls and contains large horizontal marks, or lenticels. [2]

The twigs of a River birch are reddish brown and thin, and they are droopy. [3]

Bark and Twig

Figure 4: Twig of River Birch

Figure 3: Bark of River Birch

The leaves of a River birch are arranged alternately, they are pinnate and simple. The shape is ovate and the margin is double serrate being toothed and lobed. They can grow to be 2 to 4 inches in length and a green in color on top, and a paler green and fuzzy underneath, they turn yellow in the fall. [3]

Leaf

Figure 5: leaves of a River Birch

The buds of a river birch are sessile, attached at the base, they are elongated or oval in shape and come to a point at the tip. It is covered in gray hairs especially towards the tip of the bud. [4]

Bud

Figure 6: Bud of River Birch

The flowers on a river birch are monoecious. The flowers are arranged in male and female catkins, they are brown in color, and are not showy[3]

The shape of the fruit is elongated, and can vary between 1 and 3 inches, it is brown in color and has a dry hard shell, it’s inconspicuous and doesn’t attract wildlife. [3]

Flower and Fruit

Figure 7: Flower of river Birch

Figure 8: Fruit of River Birch

The River Birch tends to grow mainly in the southeastern part of the U.S., stretching from eastern Texas and southeastern Iowa, to all the way to Virginia and northern Florida. Scattered populations are found along rivers and streams as far up north as the New England States. [5]

Habitat and Range

Figure 9: Habitat and Range of River Birch

The river birch can be used to manufacture inexpensive furniture and basket hoops, It can also be harvested for pulpwood, artificial limbs, and children’s toys. It can be planted for erosion prevention, and it is also a great ornamental tree. The sap can be collected to make syrups, sugars, and birch beers or vinegars. [6]

Uses

Figure 10: Birch beer made with the bark from a River birch

1. Shape, Form, and Type- ◦ 1993. Edward F. Gilman. Dennis G. Watson. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010.

http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/BETNIGA.pdf 2. Bark-

◦ 2002. NH Natural Heritage Program. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010 http://www.nhdfl.org/library/pdf/FS-RiverBirch.pdf

3. Twigs, leaf, Flowers and Fruit- ◦ 1993. Edward F. Gilman. Dennis G. Watson. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010.

http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/BETNIGA.pdf4. Bud-

◦ 2005. Max Brown. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010 http://www.florabymax.net/FLORAbyMAX/Family-pdfs/FLORA-B-E/Betulaceae%20(Birch%20Family).pdf

5. Habitat and Range- ◦ 2010. H. E. Grelen. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010.

http://forestry.about.com/library/silvics/blsilbetnig.htm 6. Uses-

◦ 2010. H. E. Grelen. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010. http://forestry.about.com/library/silvics/blsilbetnig.htm

References of Data

Figure 1: Classification-◦ 2010. Plants profile. USDA. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010.

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=BENI Figure 2: River Birch tree-

◦ 2005. Southeastern Growers Inc. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010. http://www.southeasterngrowers.com/plantdetailtemplate.asp?PlantID=8

Figure 3: Bark of River Birch- ◦ 2003. Missouri Plants. Betula nigra L. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010

http://www.missouriplants.com/Catkins/Betula_nigra_page.html Figure 4: Twig of River Birch-

◦ 2003. Steven J. Baskauf. Date Retriecved: 6/23/2010. http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/beni.htm Figure 5: leaves of River Birch-

◦ 2006. Steven M. Seiberling. Alan S. Weakley. Peter S. White. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010 http://www.ibiblio.org/openkey/intkey/web/BENI.htm

Figure 6: Bud of River Birch- ◦ 2000. Plant Taxonomy. Key to Winter Twigs. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010

http://www.una.edu/faculty/pgdavison/Twig%20Key.htm Figure 7: Flower of River Birch-

◦ 2003. Missouri Plants. Betula nigra L. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010 http://www.missouriplants.com/Catkins/Betula_nigra_page.html

Figure 8: Fruit of River Birch- ◦ 2003. Steven J. Baskauf. Date Retriecved: 6/23/2010.

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/beni.htm Figure 9: Habitat and Range of River Birch-

◦ 2010. Western North Carolina Nature Center. Date Retrieved: 6/23/2010. http://www.wildwnc.org/education/trees/river-birch-betula-nigra-betulaceae-birch-family

Figure 10: Birch beer-◦ 2009. Stewart’s Fountain Favorites. Date retrieved: 6/23/10 http://www.drinkstewarts.com/freebies.aspx

References of Pictures