Native to the moist woodlands and lowlands of the Eastern, Southeastern, and Midwestern United States, it is found along the banks of rivers, creeks and streams. It grows to 50 ft. tall, frequently in clumps of several trees, which can span 50 to 60 ft. across. The specimen shown above was photographed in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.

Its beautiful shaggy (exfoliating) bark ranging in color from beige to peach to cinnamon and rust makes this variety more colorful than the common River Birch. The beautiful bark and delicate leaves gives this tree an architectural value where soil is moist. Its non-invasive roots allow it to be planted closer to buildings than most trees of its size. Many landscape architects specify it to be planted within a few feet of houses and office buildings. Its small delicate leaves allow filtered light through to the ground, so that ferns, hostas, and other plants requiring filtered light can thrive beneath it. Leaves are light yellow-green turning to yellow-gold in autumn.

It is easily propagated from seeds which begin falling from the tree in clusters during late May through June. Most specimens drop their leaves little by little, throughout the summer which, in the natural habitat, provides for a self-mulching technique that helps to hold moisture around the base of the trees.

Hardy in climate zones 5 - 9.

© 1998 Michael King