Life History and Disturbance Response of Betula nigra (River Birch)
Family: Betulaceae
Guild: pioneer, spring dispersed, moist site tolerant
Functional Lifeform: medium sized deciduous tree
Ecological Role: primarily a streambank tree, favors alluvial soils with high moisture. Associates with almost all bottom land plants
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): intolerant
Height, m: 15-25m
Canopy Tree: yes
Pollination Agent: wind
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 1yrs
New Cohorts Source: seeds/sprouts from young stumps
Flowering Dates: spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: yes
Seedfall Begins: late spring , early summer
Seed Banking: less than 1 month
Cold Stratification Required: no
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: small winged/200m/wind and nearby watercourses
Season of Germination: common on young stumps
Establishment Seedbed Preferences:
Substrate: variable
Light: high light amount
Moisture: high
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance Response:
Fire: found on sites that are very wet and probably see infrequent fire. As a thin-barked species it would likely be subject to top killing by fire and would increase during long fire intervals.
Weather:
Air Pollution:
Exotics: