Betula nigra 'Heritage' Tree

This River Birch is, in our opinion, a tree rivalled in its suitability for wet sites only by Alders and Willows, and once established, will also thrive in less moist conditions. The shaggy, ruffled bark of this spectacular tree makes for brilliant year round interest in an array of colours. With attractive base tones of creamy-grey and cinnamon brown, highlighted with hints of pinky-orange, purple and gold. The leaves are diamond shaped and green, turning golden in autumn.

This form of Betula nigra has a statuesque form and will look stunning planted in a group or individually as a specimen tree. In its single stem form a height and spread of 8 x 4 metres can be expected in 20 years. Tolerant of most except dry soils and conditions this beautiful birch would make a wonderfully tactile addition to any garden.

Click here to go to all Birch trees.

AKA River birch, Red birch, Black birch, Betula nigra 'Cully'

• Common name: River birch
• Height and spread in 20 years: 8 x 4 metres
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
• Foliage: Green foliage, turns golden in autumn
• Soil: Particularly good in wet sites but also tolerant of all others except dry soils

Planting Advice for Betula nigra Heritage Trees

Our pot grown River Birch trees can be planted at any time of the year. Start by removing weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help the tree establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Avoid banking the soil up around the collar of the tree. Unless it's a multi stem form, we recommend planting River Birch trees with a stake and tie kit to ensure the roots are well anchored - instructions are in the planting guide.

Aftercare of Betula nigra Heritage Trees

If you're planting in spring or summer, water well for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. Unlike other species, Birch trees would rather be in wet soil than dry. Irrigation kits make it easier.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard. To keep the bark on this Birch looking its best, you can wash it using a pressure washer (on a gentle setting), garden hose or slightly soapy water.

Pruning Betula nigra Heritage Trees

Established River Birch trees do not require pruning and they do not take well to hard pruning. Hard pruning leads to increased light penetration of the roots which in turn results in increased soil temperature and decreased moisture levels. Simply remove the lateral shoots to maintain a clear trunk and prune any diseased or damaged branches. Pruning should be carried out in late summer to mid-winter. Birch trees bleed heavily at all other times of the year, especially late winter.

Delivery Timescales

Most deliveries are made within a week of placing the order. All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team, with many despatched to our tried and tested couriers within 24 hours (please allow up to 10 days). There's no need to be in to receive your trees and you can request where they are left via the checkout.

There is a slightly longer timescale on pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) because we group orders together by geographic area for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers to notify them of the delivery date and whether the delivery driver needs assistance.

Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.

Our nursery is a busy despatch centre, so please make an appointment to collect or view trees.  For collections, despatch charges will be refunded.

Delivery Costs

1 small tree (most trees with a height under 1.5 metres) : £7.95 + vat

1 medium tree (most trees 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £9.95 + vat

2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £12.95 + vat

1-4 large trees (trees too large to fit in a box): £19.95 + vat

Mature, pleached or 5+ large trees: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode. You can buy additional trees with no increase in delivery cost.

The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process.

Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Non Mainland UK

Our courier charges are not viable for just one or two trees, but if you have a larger requirement then please do speak to us to see if we can find a solution.

Below are definitions of various forms, which refer to the shape of the tree defined by the pruning it has received. For more advice, please contact us.

Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.

Multi Stem: A multi stem tree is has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system. Take care to buy a true multi-stem like all ours and not those that are 3 saplings in a pot to cheaply imitate them.

Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branch), which supports a branched crown. Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.

Standard  either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height
Premium Standard  10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height
Heavy Standard  12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height
Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height

The table below gives sizes and forms available for this variety, along with photos you can enlarge (these are only a guideline as all plants are unique so vary).