South Gym

River Birch (Species: Betula nigra)
	Egyptian School has approximate twenty of these trees planted on the school grounds. This shaggy barked tree is found near water sources. Since our school is in a flood zone, these trees thrive. Wild Turkey will eat the seeds of the river birch. The river birch can reach heights from 60 to 80 feet. Most of our trees are around 30 years old and approximately 40 feet in height. The diameter of most of the birches are around 15 to 20 centimeters.
The leaves of the river birch are from 1 inch to 5 inches in length. Underneath the leaves there maybe a whitish color.
	The bark of the river birch is rough with black looking plates in older trees. The young trees are smooth.

Resources: Peterson Field Guides, Trees and Shrubs, 1986