The plant of the month for January is River Birch.  River birch is native to the eastern United States; south to Florida, north to Minnesota and west to Kansas. The tree can grow as tall as 40 to 50 feet and 15 to 20 inches in diameter. The exfoliating bark is gray-brown to ivory or copper colored and gives this tree great winter appeal.  River birch can survive on drier soils, although it is best adapted to moist soils and is usually found along stream banks and in swampy bottomlands that are periodically flooded. Maximum development is reached in fertile areas with a pH of 6.5 to 4.0. It is intolerant of shade and requires full sunlight.  It has no serious insect pests and is considered borer resistant.