Betula, nigra, Heritage Clump- #15

The bark of river birch (Betula nigra) changes dramatically with the tree’s age. On young trees, the bark is smooth and ranges from salmon-pink to brown-gray, often with a subtle reddish tint. As the tree matures, the outer layer begins to peel away in thin, curling sheets, exposing lighter inner bark that can be creamy white or pale pink This peeling process gives the bark a distinctive “paper” look, which is why it is sometimes called “paper birch.