Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
Origin
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Western United States
Habitat
bottomlands, Depression on prairies, ditches, Floodplains, Riverbanks, stream banks, Swamps
Rocky areas, stream banks, Woodland Garden Canopy
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-9
2-8
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Pyramidal
Flower Color
Yellow, Brown
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Leaf Color in Winter
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Blue Green, Steel Blue
Leaf Shape
Oval with a pointed tip and fine teeth along their edges
Needle like
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Slow
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Tolerances
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Grafting, Seedlings, Semi-ripe cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Requires regular watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune in the late winter or spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Shape and thin as needed
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, No need to fertilize every year
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Red blotch, Sawfly Larvae
Aphids, Canker, Needle rust, Scale
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Drought
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
Yes
Foliage Texture
Medium
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
-
Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes, Used as Christmas tree
Environmental Uses
Erosion control, Wildlife
Air purification, Windbreak
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Flowers, Inner Bark, Seeds
Other Uses
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Paper pulp, Wood is used in construction
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Screening, Wind Break
Botanical Name
BETULA nigra
PICEA pungens 'Baby Blue Eyes'
Common Name
River Birch
Dwarf Blue Spruce
In Hindi
River Birch
Dwarf Blue Spruce
In German
Fluss Birch
Dwarf Blue Spruce
In French
Birch river
Dwarf Blue Spruce
In Spanish
river Birch
Enano Blue Spruce
In Greek
ποταμός Birch
Νάνος Blue Spruce
In Portuguese
river Birch
Anão Blue Spruce
In Polish
Rzeka Birch
Dwarf Blue Spruce
In Latin
Betula
Blue dwarf Spruce
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Coniferophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Pinopsida
Family
Betulaceae
Pinaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
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