Genus
Betula
The Betula genus in the Plotwright catalog — 2 species: Paper birch, River birch. Open any for hardiness, native range, wildlife value, and growing guidance.
Betula papyrifera
Paper birch
A northern native deciduous tree producing iconic white peeling-paper bark — among the most recognizable + photogenic of any temperate tree. Native to northern + boreal forests; declines in southern landscapes due to heat stress + bronze birch borer pressure. Short-lived (40-70 years) compared to most native canopy trees but provides outsized visual + wildlife value during that window.
Betula nigra
River birch
The most heat-tolerant native birch — exfoliating salmon-pink-to-cinnamon bark provides four-season visual interest, and the species thrives in warm humid southern landscapes where paper birch fails. Native to riparian + floodplain habitats; tolerates wet feet + occasional flooding. Resistant to bronze birch borer (the canonical birch killer). The Heritage cultivar is the residential standard.