Turf

growth habit for this tree. This cultivar features salmon-cream to brownish bark which exfoliatesto reveal a creamy white inner bark that can be nearly as white as the white-barked birches.Leathery, diamond-shaped, dark green leaves (1.5-3.5" long) with doubly toothed margins arelarger and glossier than the species and turn a respectable yellow in fall. Flowers are contained indrooping, brownish male catkins (2-3" long) and insignificant, smaller, upright, greenish femalecatkins, both of which appear in spring on the same tree. The plant was found growing in St.Louis, Missouri by Earl Cully. Although the Royal Horticultural Society lists this plant ascultivar 'Heritage' it appears that the correct cultivar name is 'Cully'. The plant is being soldunder the trade name HERITAGE. U.S. Plant Patent #4,409 issued April 24, 1979.Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.One of the most disease-free birches. River birches in general and 'Heritage' in particular isextremely resistant to the bronze birch borer and also has good resistance to leaf spot diseases.Some susceptibility to aphids and leaf miners and to iron chlorosis in high pH soils, but these aresomewhat minor problems in comparison to the birch borer.Uses:Excellent (as specimen or in small groups) for lawns, parks, and commercial properties and, inparticular, for wet soils along ponds or streams or in low spots. Frequently planted with a darkfoliage or shady background. An excellent choice for the St. Louis area, and generally a goodsubstitute for the paper birch in hot and humid climates in USDA Zones 5 to 9.Back to plant list- 64 -