Multi-stem Trees
Betula nigra
River birch
With shaggy, peeling bark in shades of cinnamon, salmon and cream, Betula nigra is one of the most textural trees you can grow. Multi-stem specimens show the bark off at its best.
Dramatic shaggy, peeling bark
Fresh green diamond-shaped leaves
Buttery yellow autumn colour
Copes with damp and heavy soils better than most birches
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Multi-stem tree
Foliage
Deciduous
Seasons of interest
Year-round bark, autumn colour
Eventual size
Typically over 12 m tall in time
Position
Full sun or partial shade
Soil
Moist soil; tolerates wet and heavy ground
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
A range of sizes and forms. Ask our team for current specimens and pricing.
Why we love it
Betula nigra has some of the most characterful bark of any tree, curling and peeling in layers of warm cinnamon, pink and cream. In winter, it becomes a living sculpture.
Its light canopy lets plenty of light through, and its tolerance of damp ground makes it a great choice for tricky, wetter sites.
How to use it
Plant as a single specimen where the bark can be seen up close, or in groups for a naturalistic, woodland feel. It suits rain gardens, pond edges and lower-lying parts of the garden.
Planting and aftercare
Plant between autumn and spring and keep well watered while establishing. Prune only in late summer or early winter if needed, as birches bleed sap if cut in spring.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. River birch naturally grows along riverbanks, so it tolerates damp and heavy soils better than most birches.
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Prune lightly in late summer or early winter. Avoid late winter and spring, when birches bleed sap.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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Yes, and we would love you to. Every multi-stem tree is individual, with its own branch structure and character, so we always encourage customers to choose by eye. Our largest specimens are held at our Row Town showroom in Surrey. Walk in any time during opening hours, or book a Genus Bar appointment with one of our specialists. If you can’t visit, we are happy to send photographs of individual trees.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide. Deliveries are arranged by our dedicated in-house operations team, and larger specimens can be offloaded by HI-AB or Moffett where needed. We will always agree the most suitable option with you before delivery.
All our multi-stem trees
Explore every tree in our multi-stem trees collection, or view them all with photographs →
Betula nigra
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.