Life Span
Perennial
Biennial
Type
Tree
Tree
Origin
Southwestern United States, Texas
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Types
Sophora secundiflora
Yellow Birch, Paper Birch, River Birch
Number of Varieties
540
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Arid Habitats, riparian zones
Hills, Moist Soils
USDA Hardiness Zone
11-154-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
9-1
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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
Habit
Upright/Erect
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
760.00 cm2,133.60 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
460.00 cm762.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Blue Violet
Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Brown
Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Pinnate
Pinnate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter
Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought, Salt, Soil Compaction
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Drought Tolerant
Requires watering in the growing season, Water daily during growing season, Water Deeply, Water more frequently during periods of extreme drought
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove branches, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove hanging branches
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, fertilize twice a year, Nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Medium
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Butterflies
Ants, Aphids, Birds
Allergy
Poisonous
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification
-
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
-
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Boils, bowel syndrome, Combats Stress, Diarrhea, Dysentry, Heart problems, Kidney Stones, Osteoarthritis, Skin Disorders, Urinary tract problems
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Seeds, Wood
Bark, Leaves, Sap
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
Medicinal oil, Used as essential oil
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
SOPHORA secundiflora
BETULA nigra 'Studetec'
Common Name
Texas Mountain Laurel
Black Birch, River Birch, Tecumseh Compact River Birch
In Hindi
Texas Mountain Laurel
काले बर्च वृक्ष
In German
Meskalbohne
Schwarze Birke
In French
Calia secundiflora
Noir Bouleau
In Spanish
Texas Mountain Laurel
Negro del árbol de abedul
In Greek
Texas Mountain Laurel
Μαύρο Birch Tree
In Portuguese
Texas Mountain Laurel
Bétula Preto
In Polish
Texas Mountain Laurel
Czarny Brzoza
In Latin
Texas Mountain Laurel
Niger Caerulus
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fabales
Fagales
Family
Fabaceae
Betulaceae
Genus
Sophora
Betula
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Faboideae
-
Number of Species
640
1
27800
👆🏻