Betula lenta Black Birch
Native To: New York City Wetland Indicator: FACU Soil: pH 4.0-6.8
Form/Color Grows to 70'; blooms April-May; pale Stormwater Insufficient information to determine
yellow color in fall; young bark marked by Tolerance: tolerance.
thin horizontal lenticels, older bark often
cracked. Urban Sensitive to soil compaction.
Tolerance:
Habitat: Moist to dry, well-drained, upland, acid
forest soil.
Ecosystem Seeds eaten by birds.
Services:
Hydrology: Moderately tolerant of drought
Ornamental Yellow fall color.
Value: Compatibility:
Salt Moderately tolerant of salt.
Tolerance: Other: Also known as sweet birch and
cherry birch. Broken twigs give off
Shade Moderately tolerant of shade. wintergreen odor.
Tolerance:
Betula nigra River Birch
Native To: New York City Wetland Indicator: FACW Soil: pH 4.0-6.5
Form/Color Columnar and globular form; 50'-75';30'- Stormwater Tolerant of stormwater.
50' wide spread; clear yellow in fall; green Tolerance:
to pale yellow, drooping catkins; green to
tan-brown strobiles. Urban Resistant to soil compaction, prefers
Tolerance: acidic soils, performs well in the right
of way.
Habitat: Floodplain depression, swampy
bottomlands, low open sites along
streamsides. Ecosystem Seeds eaten by birds,waterfowl, and
Services: small mammals.
Hydrology: Tolerant of drought, flooding, saturated
soil 25% of growing season.
Ornamental Clear yellow fall color, white bark.
Value: Compatibility:
Salt Intolerant of salt.
Tolerance: Other: Short lifespan 50-75 years; weak-
wooded, fast grower.
Shade Intolerant of shade.
Tolerance: