Landscape Design Using River Birch Trees

Growing Regions

• River birches are well adapted to a wide range of temperatures. According to "Trees for Architecture and Landscape," by Robert L. Zion, the river birch grows in zones 4 through 9. This means that only those in the northern-most reaches of Minnesota and Maine and the tip of Florida in the continental United States cannot use the river birch in their landscape.

Growing Conditions

• Unlike other birch trees that must be grown in dry or sandy soil, the river birch does well in both dry and wet soils. New trees should be in moist soil, but after the tree has been established in the landscape for a year or more, dry conditions will not harm it. If you have a poorly drained area in your landscape, a river birch can be planted there to avoid a bare spot in your yard. Plant several together to create a natural looking grove. When planting groupings of river birch trees, take into account the span of the limbs. Depending on the variety, the tree's span can reach between 20 and 30 feet. Space out the trees at least 10 feet apart in your landscape to provide ample room for their limbs to grow to their natural breadth.

Uses

• The peeling, brown bark on river birch trees can give them a shaggy appearance. This makes them visually interesting but not suited to a formal landscape. Instead, use river birches where you want to recreate a natural scene in your landscape, such as near a native pond, riverside or swamp near your home. When planting birches, opt for several trees instead of one to increase the peeling bark's visual impact on the landscape. A multi-stemmed river birch can be planted in a small yard to achieve a similar look to a cluster of trees. Since river birches are adapted to wet conditions, plant them around a pond or along a small brook. You can also surround a pond with the trees or arrange the trees in a ring around a gazebo to create a shady getaway. River birch trees also do well in low areas where water tends to pond in the area after rain. The roots of groves of birches in such areas can prevent erosion. Keep the trees away from driveways or houses because older species will litter the area below with leaves and twigs and the large span of the treetops will end up hitting the upper windows.

Types

• River birch trees do not have the same bright, white bark of white or silver birches, but the Heritage variety has a lighter brown bark than other river birch types, and this type can be substituted in warmer climates where white or silver birch trees would not grow. If you want full foliage on your river birch, the Dura Heat variety is an option. This type of river birch withstands high heat and humidity and is resistant to leaf spot. If you do not have enough space in your landscape for a 20-foot-tall river birch, opt for a dwarf variety such as the Little King. The Little King variety has a bushy appearance to it and can be used as a tall shrub in your landscape.