River Birch in the Liminal

On Bark #4

River birch geographic range. Map by Ben Lockwood

Species Facts

• Scientific Name: Betula nigra

• Growth Period: Spring and Summer

• Fire Tolerance: Medium

• Growth Rate: Rapid

• Lifespan: 50-70 years

River Birch in the Liminal

Brief Ecology editor, Ben Lockwood, examining river birch bark. Photo by Marissa Blake

This is a river birch. It’s a riparian species. That means these trees like to grow on the banks of rivers and streams. Areas that aren’t quite water, but aren’t quite land either. Somewhere in between. In the transition.