Wondering how river birch got its name? Betula nigra is vigorous, fast-growing, medium sized species of birch that excels in wet conditions! It’s also one of the few heat-tolerant birch species. The deciduous tree is known for its cinnamon brown papery, exfoliating bark. Young tree bark usually has a salmon-pink to brown-gray coloration that matures to the shiny reddish-brown with a peeling habit. Diamond-shaped leaves are medium green on top and lighter green on bottom, which give the effect of a shimmer in the wind. As a bonus, foliage turns yellow in the fall, creating a stunning contrast with the bark. Often, river birch is grown as a multi-trunk tree and is typically planted in groups to create a showy focal point in the landscape.