Plant overview
This deciduous tree has a solitary or multiple trunks with pinkish curling, flaky bark and spreading branches that form a broad conical habit. It has diamond-shaped mid green leaves that turn yellow in autumn and the yellowish male flowers appear in spring.  

Hardiness zones 4 to 9 

Betula nigra is naturally found in the warmer parts of eastern North America growing in damp places along rivers or around lakes in moderately well drained fertile soils. It prefers an open sunny to semi-shaded position and is drought tender but frost tolerant.

River Birch is a large tree that is grown for its graceful habit and its bark. It is planted in parks, large gardens and along watercourses establishing in 2 to 4 years and reaches 6m (20ft) in 10 years. It is suitable for coastal or inland regions and is an excellent lawn specimen tree for summer shade. ID 1730

Note:
The pinkish curling and flaking bark is a feature of young plants. On maturity the bark becomes dark, furrowed or flaky and the young branches are brown, warty then becoming pale grey with age. 

Betula (BET-yoo-luh) nigra (NI-gra)

Betulaceae (BE-tul-AY-see-ee)
Birch