Heritage River Birch (Betula nigra 'Cully' HERITAGE)
BET-choo-lah NY-grah 'Cully' HERITAGE

Deciduous Perennial Tree in the Betulaceae Family

Betula nigra, commonly known as the River Birch, is a deciduous tree native to the eastern United States prized for its peeling, multi-toned bark and graceful, weeping habit. Reaching heights of 40-70 feet and spreading 40-60 feet wide, this birch species is characterized by a distinctive trunk that exfoliates in thin, papery sheets, revealing patches of smooth, cinnamon-colored inner bark that contrasts beautifully with the tree's darker, outer layers. The River Birch's broad, triangular leaves emerge a lustrous green in spring, turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red before dropping in fall. An adaptable tree that thrives in wet, poorly-drained soils as well as drier conditions, Betula nigra is well-suited for planting near ponds, streams, and other water features. Its graceful, multi-stemmed form and resistance to the common Birch Borer insect make the River Birch a popular choice for landscapes, parks, and streetscapes. With its striking bark, delicate foliage, and tolerance of challenging growing sites, Betula nigra is a standout ornamental tree for four-season interest.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 40 - 70 feet tall. 40 - 60 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance - Wet
Zones 4a - 9b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Deciduous, Disease Resistant, Formal Garden, Full Sun, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Rain Garden, Insignificant Flowers, Interesting Bark/Stems, Low Maintenance, Naturalizing, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tree, Well-Drained Soil, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant, Winter Interest, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period April to May
Flower Color Brown (Male) And Green (Female)
Foliage Color
 

Awards
 

More Info from Experts
Canopy of Heritage River Birch
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!