River Birch Betula nigra L.

Characteristics

Leaves:  Alternate, simple, coarsely doubly toothed, lighter and hairy on the lower surface, can be 3 inches long in length, acute tip, tapering or truncate (even) at the base, has a hairy leafstalk. 

Bark:  Bark peels and curls, color varies from brownish-pink to reddish-brown.

Flowers:  Staminate and pistillate are found on the same tree, unnoticeable, blooms in late April and May, staminate is in thin, hanging clusters, while the pistillate is in short cone like, fuzzy collection.

Fruit:  The fruit consist of little, fuzzy nuts, crowded together within a cone like shape that is about 1 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.

Twigs:   Thin, hairy, reddish-brown color, with alternate leaf scars that are half-elliptical, containing 3 bundle traces. 

Bud: elongated, pointed, and hairy can reach up to be 1/4 inches long. 

Form:  75 feet tall,  up to 2 feet trunk diameter, crown irregularly rounded.

Habitat:  Along rivers, streams or in bottomlands.

Range:  "Massachusetts and New Hampshire across to southern Minnesota and eastern Kansas, south to eastern Texas and Florida."

Wood:  Tough but light, pale brown.

Uses: Furniture, sometimes ornamental. 

Distinguishing Features:  the shaggy red to brown bark and doubly toothed leaves

Location:  Mattoon, Illinois.

Sources Cited:  Mohlenbrock, Robert.  (N.D.).  Forest Trees of Illinois.  Springfield, IL:  Illinois    Department of Natural Resources.

(c) 2002-03  Cumberland High School Katie M.

Contact Information- lstarwalt@cumberland.k12.il.us

Link to Native Trees of Illinois index page.