Betula nigra Heritage® 'Cully' River Birch
Culture
Easily grown average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. River birch is perhaps the most culturally adaptable and heat tolerant of the birches. Prefers moist, acidic, fertile soils including semi-aquatic conditions, but also tolerates drier soils. Consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. Adapts well to heavy clay soils of Missouri and will tolerate poor drainage. Avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Betula nigra, commonly called river birch, is a vigorous, fast-growing, medium-sized, Missouri native deciduous tree which occurs on floodplains, swampy bottomlands and along streams throughout the State. In cultivation, it can be trained as either a single trunk or multi-trunked tree. As a single trunk tree, it develops a pyramidal habit when young, but matures to a more rounded shape typically growing 40-70' tall. Multi-trunked trees form a more irregular crown and are generally considered to be the superior growth habit for this species.
'Cully', often sold as HERITAGE, is a vigorous, fast-growing, medium-sized tree which can be grown as either a single trunk or multi-stemmed tree and features salmon-cream to brownish bark which exfoliates to reveal a creamy white inner bark that can be nearly as white as the white-barked birches. it was found growing in St. Louis, Missouri by Earl Cully. Although often sold as 'Heritage' it appears that the correct cultivar name is 'Cully'. - Missouri Botanical Garden
- 40'-70h x 40-60'w
- Exposure:Full to part sun
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Soil Type: Average to Moist
