Betula nigra 'Cully', Heritage® river birch
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Betula nigra 'Cully'

Heritage® river birch

Betulaceae

Eastern United States, New Hampshire to Florida, west to Kansas and Nebraska

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height40-70 feet (12-21 m)
Width35-50 feet (10.5-15 m)
Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Betula nigra 'Cully', marketed under the trademark name Heritage®, is a selected cultivar of river birch chosen for superior bark exfoliation and vigor. It reaches 40–70 feet (12–21 m) tall and 35–50 feet (10.5–15 m) wide, typically grown as a multi-stemmed tree with 2–5 trunks, though single-trunk specimens are possible. Bark is the defining ornamental feature: on young stems, it exfoliates in curling papery sheets to reveal layers of cream, salmon, and cinnamon-brown — more pronounced and earlier to develop than on seedling-grown Betula nigra. Older bark at the base of mature trunks becomes dark gray-brown and plated. Leaves are diamond-shaped (rhombic) to ovate with double-toothed margins, 1.5–3.5 inches (4–9 cm) long, glossy dark green above; they turn butter-yellow in fall. Male catkins 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long are pendulous and visible through winter, becoming more prominent in late February through March just before leaf emergence. Growth rate is fast, 1.5–3 feet (45–90 cm) per year when young. Critically, Betula nigra and 'Cully' show strong resistance to bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius) — the insect that kills European white birches (B. pendula) and paper birches (B. papyrifera) in PNW landscapes — making it a much more reliable long-lived birch choice for the region. The tree prefers consistently moist, acidic soils; it dislikes alkaline soils where chlorosis develops.

Native Range

Betula nigra is native to the eastern United States, from New Hampshire south to Florida and west to Kansas and Nebraska. Found naturally along streams, rivers, and bottomlands that experience periodic flooding. 'Cully' (Heritage®) is a cultivar selected from wild populations, first introduced by the University of Missouri in 1979.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen tree in residential landscapes, parks, and public spaces where the year-round bark display is the primary asset. The multi-stemmed habit is particularly effective as a winter feature. Tolerates wet sites, rain gardens, and stream-adjacent plantings. Strongly preferred over Betula pendula and B. papyrifera in Pacific Northwest landscapes due to bronze birch borer resistance. Allow 35–50 feet (10.5–15 m) of horizontal clearance. Not suited to alkaline soils or consistently dry upland sites without irrigation.

How to Identify

Identified by exfoliating papery bark in interlayered cream, salmon, and cinnamon-brown sheets — most vivid on trunks 2–8 inches (5–20 cm) in diameter. Diamond-shaped to ovate leaves 1.5–3.5 inches (4–9 cm) long with double-toothed margins and glossy dark green upper surface. Typically multi-stemmed. Distinguished from Betula pendula (European white birch) by the warm salmon-cinnamon bark color (not chalk-white), the preference for moist acidic soils, and strong resistance to bronze birch borer.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread35' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Male catkins develop and are visible through winter, 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long; they become conspicuous in February through March as they elongate before leaf-out. Smaller female catkins appear with the emerging leaves in March through April. Seeds are small winged nutlets dispersed by wind in May through June. The bloom period is not ornamentally prominent.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

brown (male catkins)

Foliage Description

glossy dark green in summer; butter-yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysiltsand
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Provide consistent moisture — river birch naturally grows along stream banks and tolerates periodic wet feet; it is not well-suited to dry, droughty sites without supplemental irrigation. Soil pH is critical: Betula nigra requires acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5); on soils above pH 6.5–7.0, chlorosis (yellowing from iron deficiency) develops, weakening the tree. Test soil pH before planting in areas with alkaline water or concrete-adjacent sites. Apply 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) of mulch over the root zone, keeping it clear of the trunks. No regular fertilizing is needed on average soils. Unlike Betula pendula and B. papyrifera, this tree is not at significant risk from bronze birch borer in PNW conditions — one of its primary advantages for long-term use.

Pruning

Prune in summer (June through August) or fall (September through November) — avoid spring pruning, as birches bleed profusely from wounds made when sap is actively flowing (February through May). Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches at the branch collar. On multi-stemmed specimens, no stem-removal is needed unless structural concerns arise; the multi-stem form is the primary ornamental habit. Avoid topping or removing major limbs, which creates large wounds that heal slowly.

Pruning Schedule

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summerfall

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic