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Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: river birch
Type: Tree
Family: Betulaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 40 to 70 feet
Spread: 40 to 60 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: Brown, Green
Bloom Description: Brown (male) and green (female)
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Flowers not Showy
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Wet Soil, Drought, Air Pollution, Deer
Uses: Rain Garden, Shade Tree
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. River birches are perhaps the most culturally adaptable and heat tolerant of the birches. Prefers moist, acidic, fertile soils, including semi-aquatic conditions, but also tolerates drier soils. Adapts well to heavy clay soils and will tolerate poor drainage. Avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running.
Noteworthy Characteristics
This river birch cultivar is a vigorous, fast-growing, medium-sized tree which can be grown as either a single trunk or multi-stemmed tree. As a single trunk tree, it develops a pyramidal habit when young, but gradually matures into a more rounded habit, typically growing 40-70' tall. Multi-stemmed trees form a more irregular shaped crown, and are often considered the superior growth habit for this tree. This cultivar features salmon-cream to brownish bark which exfoliates to reveal a creamy white inner bark that can be nearly as white as the white-barked birches. Leathery, diamond-shaped, dark green leaves (1.5-3.5" long) with doubly toothed margins are larger and glossier than the species and turn a respectable yellow in fall. Flowers are contained in drooping, brownish male catkins (2-3" long) and insignificant, smaller, upright, greenish female catkins, both of which appear in spring on the same tree. The plant was found growing in St. Louis, Missouri by Earl Cully. Although the Royal Horticultural Society lists this plant as cultivar 'Heritage' it appears that the correct cultivar name is 'Cully'. The plant is being sold under the trade name HERITAGE. U.S. Plant Patent #4,409 issued April 24, 1979.
Plant of Merit
This is a river birch selection that out-performs all others in this group. HERITAGE birch is noted for its fast growth, adaptability to poor soils, attractive exfoliating bark, winter hardiness, heat tolerance and resistance to borers. An airy leaf canopy allows light to penetrate below. Grow in medium to wet soils; full sun to part shade.
Problems
One of the most disease-free birches. River birches in general and 'Heritage' in particular is extremely resistant to the bronze birch borer and also has good resistance to leaf spot diseases. Some susceptibility to aphids and leaf miners and to iron chlorosis in high pH soils, but these are somewhat minor problems in comparison to the birch borer.
Garden Uses
Excellent (as specimen or in small groups) for lawns, parks, and commercial properties and, in particular, for wet soils along ponds or streams or in low spots. Frequently planted with a dark foliage or shady background. An excellent choice for the St. Louis area, and generally a good substitute for the paper birch in hot and humid climates in USDA Zones 5 to 9.