Betula occidentalis - Deciduous - Red Birch, Water Birch, Western Red Birch Page

Betula occidentalis, more commonly known as Water Birch, Red Birch or Western Red Birch, thrives best in acidic, moist to wet soils under full sun to part shade. A perfect fit for growing in USDA Zones 3-6, it flourishes in moist fertile soils and tolerates flooding, with little to no need for pruning.
Water Birch is a characteristic shrubby tree of riparian woodlands, found predominately in Western Canada, the Cascades, the U.S. Rockies, reaching south to New Mexico. Typically grown along rivers, streams, and water bodies, it manifests as a single to a multi-stemmed shrub standing 10-15’ tall, but can surge to a stature of 40-50’ as a multi-trunked tree with a broad, irregular, open crown.
Water Birch is easily identifiable with its non-peeling, shiny, reddish-brown bark marked with white horizontal streaks. Its alternate, deciduous, broad-ovate leaves grow 1-3” long, are dark greenish-yellow, and shiny above. The underside of the leaves is paler and gland-dotted.
The plant, exhibiting male and female flowers on separate catkins on the same plant, blooms in spring. Fruiting cones appear late in summer and are a key source of food and housing materials for beavers in their native habitats.
Water Birch is commonly grown within its native geographic range and serves as an appealing landscape addition when planted in small groups along water bodies or in constantly moist to wet soils. Its stature and unique characteristics make it an excellent choice for verdant, waterside environments.