Betula occidentalis - River Birch

River Birch is a hardy, fast-growing tree or large shrub that can reach up to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It is known for its attractive reddish-brown, peeling bark and vibrant yellow fall foliage. Its multi-stemmed form and fluttering leaves add grace and texture to the landscape, while its roots play a vital role in stabilizing soil along riverbanks, wetlands, and floodplains. River Birch also provides important habitat for birds, native bees, and other pollinators, and serves as a host plant for several butterfly and moth species, including the Mourning Cloak butterfly, whose larvae feed on its foliage.

Preferring full sun to partial shade, River Birch is adaptable to a wide range of soil types but thrives best in consistently moist conditions. Commonly found along streambanks, lakeshores, wet meadows, and riparian corridors, it is also well-suited to warmer and drier regions, especially in foothills and lower montane zones. Young saplings may be browsed, especially in early spring, but mature trees are generally avoided due to the barks toughness and bitter compounds in the foliage.