River Birch-Cluster

Peeling Bark Interest
Graceful Clustered Form
Moist Site Friendly

Our Guarantee Customer Reviews

#15 Container

$323.00

2 in stock

20'-25' BB

$862.00

6 in stock

Size

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Starting at $323.00

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We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
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Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
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River Birch-Cluster

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

River Birch-Cluster

River Birch-Cluster is a native deciduous shade tree valued for its multi-stem form, cinnamon-toned peeling bark, and fresh green foliage. This graceful birch brings year-round texture, natural character, and reliable beauty to moist lawns, rain gardens, pond edges, and open landscape plantings.

Why choose River Birch-Cluster?

Choose River Birch-Cluster for a refined native tree with four-season appeal and a softer, natural silhouette than a single-stem form. Its clustered trunks create a sculptural look, while the exfoliating bark adds winter interest in shades of cinnamon, tan, cream, and reddish brown. Bright green leaves provide a light, airy canopy through the growing season, followed by yellow fall color. It is especially useful in moist planting sites, rain gardens, large lawns, and naturalized landscapes.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Betula nigra
Common Name: River Birch-Cluster
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Growth Habit: Multi-stem, upright tree with a rounded to irregular canopy

River Birch-Cluster Additional Information

River Birch-Cluster is best known for its papery exfoliating bark, which becomes more colorful and textured as the tree matures. The clustered trunk form highlights this feature beautifully, creating a layered, natural look that stands out in winter after the leaves have dropped. Its medium green leaves are toothed and somewhat triangular, forming a light canopy that casts pleasant filtered shade. Fall color is typically yellow, adding a soft seasonal transition.

This native birch naturally grows near streambanks, floodplains, and moist lowlands, making it a strong choice for rain gardens, pond edges, large lawns, and naturalized plantings. Small catkins appear in spring, followed by seed structures that may support birds and other wildlife. Little pruning is usually needed beyond removing damaged, crossing, or crowded stems. When pruning is necessary, avoid heavy cutting in late winter or early spring, when birches may bleed sap.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant River Birch-Cluster in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Choose a spacious site where the multi-stem form, canopy, and roots have room to develop naturally.

2. Watering: Water deeply after planting and keep the root zone consistently moist during establishment. Established trees perform best with steady moisture, especially during dry stretches or in sandy soils.

3. Mulching: Apply a wide layer of organic mulch over the root zone to help conserve moisture and keep roots cool. Keep mulch pulled back from the clustered trunks to protect the bark.

4. Pruning: Prune only as needed to remove damaged, crossing, or crowded branches. Preserve the natural multi-stem structure and avoid heavy pruning in late winter or early spring.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does River Birch-Cluster get?
River Birch-Cluster commonly matures around 40 to 70 feet tall with a broad, graceful canopy, depending on soil moisture, available space, and growing conditions.
What is special about River Birch-Cluster bark?
Its bark peels in thin, papery layers, revealing warm tones of cinnamon, tan, cream, and reddish brown. The clustered trunks make this bark display especially noticeable.
Where should I plant River Birch-Cluster?
Plant it in a sunny to partly shaded location with moist soil, such as a large lawn, rain garden, pond edge, streamside area, or naturalized planting.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Tall Growth
Full Sun
Watering

Mature Height	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Fast
Botanical Name	Betula Nigra
Bloom Time	Late Spring, Mid spring, Early Spring, Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Betulaceae
Flower Color	Non Flowering
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#15 Container, 20'-25' BB

Map of the United States with most states shaded green and boundary lines visible.

Growing Zones 4-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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Family	Sapindaceae	Rosaceae	Cupressaceae	Sapindaceae	Rosaceae	Fagaceae
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Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Medium