River Birch (Betula nigra)

 

Interesting & key characteristics: 

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Height: Grows to 40-70’ at a medium to fast rate, and increases anywhere from 13” to more than 24” per year

Sunlight: Prefers a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

Overall tree shape: tree grows in an oval shape

Leaves: Features glossy green leaves that are 1.5–3" long and somewhat triangular

 

Unique benefits (how it helps our planet):

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Its leaves are an easy food source for deer and its seeds are enjoyed by the songbirds.

River birches are also planted to help reduce erosion which is why it is planted near rivers.

 

Source: https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=792

 

The Story Behind the Tree:

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After asking Mrs. Defillippo, Forsyth’s art specialist, if she had any information about the river birch, she gave us a link filled with facts about this species of tree. We had worked on the river theme last year through our Artist in Residence project called River of Life. Everyone in Grade 5 drew a small sketch related to nature and traced it on a colored tile, and these tiles are attached to the short outdoor wall across from the river birch trees. Through the project I learned that the River Birch is a tree that grows by the river (the name kind of gives it away). The River Birch is a very beautiful tree and it was very interesting to learn about.