Trees

Betula nigra 'Cully'

Heritage river birch

Betula nigra 'Cully' (Heritage) bark photographed at Merrifield Garden Center, Virginia; licensed exact-cultivar photograph, not current inventory.

Heritage is a vigorous river birch whose bark begins peeling on young stems, revealing pale salmon and off-white layers. Its leaves are relatively large and green, with yellow autumn color possible. The cultivar offers both summer canopy and visible winter bark, especially where several trunks can be appreciated together.

At a glance

Sun: Sun
Size: Height: 40–50 ft · Width: 25–35 ft
Water: Moist conditions preferred
Hardiness: USDA zone 4 cold-hardiness rating

Sizes & prices

#5 MSRiver Birch$99.99
#15 MS$149.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

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Landscape use & tree form

Use: Ornamental specimen
Fruit / litter: Small seed clusters, leaves and numerous twigs drop; keep away from gutters.
Major issues: Leaf spots, aphids and leaf miners may occur; resistant to bronze birch borer.
Form: Upright pyramidal when young, broadening to a rounded crown; single- or multistemmed.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast; species guidance for these full-sized selections.

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Parent-species guidance: Some browsing resistance; not deer-proof. Protect young plants.
Drought: Parent-species guidance: Best with consistent moisture; drought can cause leaf shedding.
Wet soil: Parent-species guidance: Occasional wetness tolerated; this does not imply permanent flooding tolerance.
Heat: Parent-species guidance: Heat tolerant with suitable soil moisture.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Caterpillar host: Butterflies
Evidence: Species-level guidance; cultivar habitat value varies.

Native range

Native range / parentage: Cultivar/selection of a species native to central and eastern United States. Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.
Tristate native status: Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Green deciduous leaves, usually yellow in fall.
Bark: Pale salmon-white and off-white exfoliating layers

Growing & care

Soil: Consistently moist, acidic loam; mulch the root zone to reduce drying and overheating.
Pruning: Usually needs little pruning. Avoid late-winter and spring cuts while sap is flowing; retain the selected single- or multitrunk structure.

Sources & photo credits

Oregon State University

University of Georgia Extension

NC State Extension

University of Minnesota Extension

woodyplants.cals.cornell.edu

horticulture.mgcafe.uky.edu

Photo: David J. Stang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.