Dura Heat River Birch
Betula nigra 'BNMTF'View more from Birch Trees
Dura Heat River Birch
Betula nigra 'BNMTF'
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Special Features
Botanical Name
Betula nigra 'BNMTF'
Outdoor Growing zone
4-9
Mature Height
40
Mature Width
25
Sun needs
Full Sun
The Dura Heat River Birch is an improved version of the native American tree called river birch, and it is a charming medium-sized tree that usually grows to 30 or 40 feet height. It will grow 2 feet a year and even 3 feet a year in warmer areas, so it rapidly matures into an attractive specimen. Because of its improved tolerance to heat, it will grow from zone 4 through zone 9, so it can be grown in almost all the states of America. It has attractive peeling bark, lighter in color than the wild form, and it makes a lovely picture in the garden, in many shades of pink, red and tan, which are especially welcome during the winter months. It is especially useful for wet, clay soils and will even grow in flooded areas, as well as growing in regular garden conditions.
- Ideal birch tree for hotter parts of the country
- Fast-growing tree as a specimen or screen
- Attractive peeling bark in pink, red and tan
- Great choice for wet or flooded ground and for clay soil
- Ideal smaller tree for small gardens
Not only is the Dura Heat River Birch more resistant to heat, with better bark color and a denser crown, it is also more resistant to pests and diseases. It is also more drought-resistant, so it will grow much better in ordinary to dry soil, if you do not have the wet soil this species loves. If you are looking for a hardy, easy-to-grow tree that will fit into any garden and add charm all year round, or if you already know birch trees and need one for a hotter region, then the Dura Heat River Birch is an ideal choice.
Birch are charming and popular trees, notable mostly for their rapid growth and for their attractive bark. Many people are familiar with the white-barked birches, but there are serious pest problems when it comes to growing them. The native river birch is a good alternative. It also has beautiful peeling bark, but in many shades of pink, orange, tan and dark-red, making a colorful show in the garden, especially in winter and spring. However, this tree grows best in cooler areas and in damp soil. To change that, plant breeders have worked to improve the tree and they developed the Dura Heat® River Birch, which as the name suggests is much more tolerant of heat and drought, as well as having more attractive bark and being more resistant to drought, pests and diseases.
The Dura Heat® River Birch is a popular tree, and because it is so adaptable and dependable it is often in high demand. We constantly receive new stock, but shortages can arise, so order now to avoid disappointment.
Growing Dura Heat® River Birch
The Dura Heat® River Birch will quickly grow into a graceful tree with slightly pendulous branches and a unique lightness that only birch trees have. The beauty of their bark, their thin twigs and delicate hanging leaves all create a light and airy effect, quite different from denser trees like Maples. This makes it a good choice for the smaller or medium-sized garden because it will not dominate the area or create a lot of dense shade that can be hard to grow other plants in. It will not cause damage with roots, so this tree can be planted closer to buildings and sewage pipes than many other trees.
Climate and Hardiness
Most birch trees need cooler weather to do well, but the Dura Heat® River Birch is happy in hot, humid weather, making it the ideal choice if you live in a warmer area such as the South, where other birch trees will not do well. It is hardy in zone 4, all the way into zone 9, so it can be grown almost anywhere.
Appearance of the Dura Heat® River Birch
The Dura Heat® River Birch is a medium-sized tree that can reach 30 to 40 feet in height and be up to 25 feet across. The main feature of this tree is the bark, which is an attractive pinkish-brown color and peels off in a picturesque fashion, revealing new, lighter-colored bark below and giving even young trees lots of character. Older trunks eventually become ridged and dark-brown in color.
The leaves are up to 3 inches long and 2 inches wide, a triangular-oval shape and pointed toward the tip. There are tiny soft teeth along the edges of the leaves. In fall the leaves turn a wonderful shade of soft yellow, like a glowing candle in the sun. Once your tree is a little older you will see it flowering in early spring, before the leaves. The flowers are tiny, in narrow clusters called ‘catkins’ that hang down and are 2 to 3 inches long. These add a charm to the tree as the seasons change and spring arrives.
Planting Location and Soil Conditions
The Dura Heat® River Birch should be grown in a sunny location, and it can be planted in heavy clay soil that is often wet. It can even be planted in flooded soil, so it is an ideal choice for low-lying areas of your property, or along river banks. It will also grow in regular soil and does best in soil that is acid to neutral. Plant the Dura Heat® River Birch as a single specimen, or as a beautiful group of trees, since birch always looks lovely in a group. This tree also makes a great fast-growing boundary tree to your property, or a wind-break. Because it thrives in wet conditions it is also great for preventing river-bank erosion.
History and Origins of the Dura Heat® River Birch
The River Birch (Betula nigra) is an American native tree that grows naturally throughout the east, from New Jersey to Georgia and from Texas to Nebraska. It is usually found in swampy areas and low-lying regions subject to flooding. Although it does not occur naturally further north than zone 6, it is hardy right into zone 4, meaning that this tree will grow in gardens across the whole country except for southern Florida and southern California.
The form trademarked as ‘Dura Heat’ was developed by selection from seedling trees grown from seed taken from wild plants growing in Florida. These had a natural genetic resistance to heat, and the most heat and pest resistant seedlings were used to develop this variety. Seedling trees of the wild river birch will not show the same resistance, so choose the best.
