Planted Price (per tree): 1 tree–$200 | 2 trees–$175 | 3 or more trees–$150
The Dura Heat Birch, the only semi-aquatic tree among Betulaceae, is the most widely distributed birch in the United States and the best one for hot climates. The tree is the only birch found in the Southern U.S., ranging from Florida to eastern Texas, and is know for its attractive cinnamon-colored, peeling bark.
Botanical Information
Native habitat: Massachusetts to Florida, west to Minnesota, Kansas and Eastern Texas. River birch is found by large rivers of the coastal plain.
Growth habit: Pyramidal when young, oval at maturity with an irregular crown. It forms several forks from the base, and each trunk leans outward.
Tree size: 40 to 70 feet tall, although it can reach 90 feet, with a 40- to 60-foot spread. Growth rate is medium to fast, averaging 30 to 40 feet over 20 years. It is short-lived in urban areas, lasting 30 to 40 years. It lives longer when planted in moist areas.
Flower and fruit: Male flowers are 2- to 3-inch-long, slender, dark brown catkins that are clustered and drooping. Female flowers are 1/3-inch-long catkins with bright green scales. Fruit is a small nutlet in a 1- to 1½-inch-long pendulous catkin. Fruit ripens in spring.
Leaf: Alternate, simple, 2 to 4 inches long and 3/4 to 2½ inches wide. Medium to dark green in summer, leaves turn yellow in fall, when they drop quickly.
Hardiness: Winter hardy to USDA Zone 4.
Growth habit: Pyramidal when young, oval at maturity with an irregular crown. It forms several forks from the base, and each trunk leans outward.
Tree size: 40 to 70 feet tall, although it can reach 90 feet, with a 40- to 60-foot spread. Growth rate is medium to fast, averaging 30 to 40 feet over 20 years. It is short-lived in urban areas, lasting 30 to 40 years. It lives longer when planted in moist areas.
Flower and fruit: Male flowers are 2- to 3-inch-long, slender, dark brown catkins that are clustered and drooping. Female flowers are 1/3-inch-long catkins with bright green scales. Fruit is a small nutlet in a 1- to 1½-inch-long pendulous catkin. Fruit ripens in spring.
Leaf: Alternate, simple, 2 to 4 inches long and 3/4 to 2½ inches wide. Medium to dark green in summer, leaves turn yellow in fall, when they drop quickly.
Hardiness: Winter hardy to USDA Zone 4.