River Birch (Betula nigra) is a native tree in Maryland (Deciduous). The sections below summarize where it grows, how to recognize it, and how it supports local ecosystems.
Habitat and range
Streambanks and floodplains; planted widely for exfoliating bark in residential landscapes.
Identification
Shaggy peeling salmon-cream bark; triangular toothed leaves; drooping male catins and upright female catkins.
Soil and moisture
Moist acidic soils; tolerates brief inundation; chlorosis possible on high pH without care.
Wildlife value
Seeds for finches; catkins for early-season insects; cover along waterways.
Uses and significance
Multi-trunk specimens for rain gardens; native alternative to some riverbank willows where scale is managed.