Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Tree
  
Tree
  
Origin
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
  
Brazil
  
Types
not available
  
Not available
  
Habitat
bottomlands, Depression on prairies, ditches, Floodplains, Riverbanks, stream banks, Swamps
  
Shady Edge, Woodland Garden Dappled Shade
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-9
  
11-15
  
AHS Heat Zone
9-1
  
12-10
  
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
  
H1, H2, 23, 24
  
Habit
Oval or Rounded
  
Upright/Erect
  
Plant Size
  
  
Minimum Height
1,220.00 cm
  
33
1,520.00 cm
  
28
Minimum Width
1,220.00 cm
  
14
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Yellow, Brown
  
Yellow, Lemon yellow
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Black
  
Gray Green
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Oval with a pointed tip and fine teeth along their edges
  
Compound
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Average
  
Average
  
Bloom Time
Spring
  
Summer, Late Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings
  
Budding, Grafting, root cutting, Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Low
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering
  
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Keep the Soil well drained, Requires more often in extreme heat, Requires regular watering
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
  
Average
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
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
  
Canker, Caterpillars, Root Pathogen
  
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
Yes
  
Yes
  
Foliage Texture
Medium
  
Coarse
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Not Available
  
Butterflies
  
Allergy
Asthma
  
allergic reaction, poisonous if ingested, Skin irritation
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Formal Garden, Used in parkland
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
No
  
Environmental Uses
Erosion control, Wildlife
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
  
Vomiting
  
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
  
Seeds
  
Other Uses
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
  
Pesticide, Used as Ornamental plant, Wood is used for making furniture
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
  
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
BETULA nigra
  
LOPHANTHERA lactescens
  
Common Name
River Birch
  
Golden Chain Tree
  
In Hindi
River Birch
  
Laburnum
  
In German
Fluss Birch
  
Goldregen (Pflanze)
  
In French
Birch river
  
Laburnum
  
In Spanish
river Birch
  
Laburnum
  
In Greek
ποταμός Birch
  
Laburnum
  
In Portuguese
river Birch
  
Laburnum
  
In Polish
Rzeka Birch
  
Złotokap
  
In Latin
Betula
  
Laburnum
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Tracheophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Fagales
  
Fabales
  
Family
Betulaceae
  
Fabaceae
  
Genus
Betula
  
Laburnum
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Not Available
  
Faboideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available