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RIVER BIRCH ENTRY GROVE
View of River Birch Entry GroveIn the fall of 2006, volunteers installed two new native plant demonstration gardens/sites for a total of 20 gardens/sites, including the River Birch Entry Grove. The grove consists of several river birch trees, which makes an impressive entry to the 10-acre grounds of the CEC gardens/sites, located at Adams Academy at Adams Park Middle School. During three planting sessions, ending on October 27th, seven large river birches were installed. The grove was planted by volunteers with outstanding assistance from Ricky Meyer and Valerie Pawlewicz. The grove includes native sandstone boulders, which were donated by Anne Arundel County Waste Management Services. However, the cost to have the boulders hauled and placed was significant. The river birches were obtained from Shemin Nursery through the Tree-mendous Maryland program.
River birches are known for their beautiful bark, providing outstanding year round interest, and especially winter interest. The bark peels in colorful papery scales of brown, salmon, peach, orange, and lavender. River Birch is a fast-growing, medium size tree, nicely forked, and wind and ice resistant.
Pictures:
Click on the thumbnail image below for a larger picture and description
Plant List:
River Birch (Betula nigra)
- Height: 40’-70’
- Spread: 40’-60’
- Pyramidal in youth and rounded with age. Often grown multi-stemmed. Best adapted to moist soils. Used in areas that are alternately wet and dry. Handsome tree used as specimen in parks and estates.
- Bark: Smooth on young trees, salmon to rust colored; developing papery scales, exfoliating horizontally with several colors (creamy to orangish-brown) visible; later developing coarse scales. Catkins are used by redpolls and pine siskins. Foliage is used by browsers.
