pocket-size varieties of these slender , refined trees tally in suburban grand .
With their slim and graceful course , delicate , often curve branches , and papery bark , birch amp up a landscape ’s appeal . There are about 50 coinage in the birch rod genusBetula . Birches are aboriginal to North America , Europe , and Asia . They usually thrive in moist soil and are often found near rivers , lake , and wetlands .
Not all birch are medium to large trees , there are also smaller mixed bag that can be comprise into suburban residential landscapes . Because of their fast growth rate , birch rod are often chosen for new landscapes . Many native birch species provide a welcome habitat for local wildlife .
Where to Plant a Birch Tree
Most birch trees grow comfortably in a locating with full sun and moist , more or less acidulous soil . Keep in nous though that the growing requirements deviate more or less from species to mintage ; some birch tree are more adaptable to a wider range of growing conditions than others . Make indisputable to research the specific needs of the type of birch tree diagram you are embed .
All birches have shallow surface root that spread to a distance of at least twice the height of the tree . Plant the tree as far away as potential from sidewalks , driveways , patios , and ramp up foundations .
How and When to Plant a Birch Tree
Plant container - turn orballed - and - burlapped treesin cool conditions in the spring or fall . If planting in the crepuscule , do it at least 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes so the roots have sufficient clock time to get establish .
compass a planting hole at least twice as wide as the solution ball and just as deep . set the tree diagram in the hole so the top of the ascendant formal is stratum with the surround filth . scatter a 2 - inch - loggerheaded stratum of mulch over the newly plant tree ’s root zone to keep the roots cool , preclude wet loss , and limit weed growth .
Water newly planted trees regularly and profoundly during the first growing time of year . purpose to leave tree with at least 1 inch of water per week . Continue watering every couple of weeks during the second grow time of year to encourage plants to germinate a stiff , deep root system .
Birch Care Tips
The growing condition may diverge more or less between the dissimilar birch eccentric but in the main , the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are low-down - maintenance .
Light
Birches raise best infull sunalthough some type abide partial shade .
Soil and Water
Birch spring up well in full sunshine or part subtlety and moist , well - drain soilbut depending on the native home ground of the birch species , the requirements vary . River birches , for example , thrive in stagnant moisture or boggy dirt while grey birch ( Betula populifolia ) grows even in juiceless , sandlike , and rocky stain . The same applies to the pH level . River birch rod prosper inslightly acidulous soil ( pH between 5.0 and 6.4)whereas white - barked birches , especially paper birch rod , also grow well in alkaline territory .
Temperature and Humidity
Birches are extremely cold - hardy . Dwarf birch rod rise in the tundra of the Arctic realm . At the other oddment of the temperature spectrum , they are less adaptable . In areas with hot summers ( above Zone 7 ) and high humidness . they tend to have a shorter life . River birches , in particular the cultivar ' Dura - Heat ' ( Betula nigra ' BNMTF ' ) , fare the full in summertime heat .
Fertilizer
There is no need to fertilize a birch tree tree , unless the soil is lack specific nutrient , which only a soil test done in a soil lab will bring out ( you’re able to get a soil trial kit from your local Extension Office ) . Mulching around the base of the tree diagram is sufficient to tally organic matter to the ground .
Pruning
Prune birch tree diagram as needed to preserve the desired size and shape and to remove crossing , or itch branches . Never hit more than 25 % of the crest at once . As for the timing , trim the tree after it has dropped its leaves in the dip . Do not prune it in spring and summertime because the fresh wounds may pull in the bronze birch tree rock drill .
Potting and Repotting Birch
Due to their size of it , birch rod trees are not desirable to be grown in container .
Pests and Problems
Two serious pestilence affect birch tree are the birch leafminer and the bronze birch tree stone drill . The birch leafminer does not kill a tree but create tunnels in the leave , return the appearance of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree unsightly .
Many species of birch rod are susceptible to bronze birch rod borer . Its larvae burrow underneath the bark and provender on vascular tissue , which disrupts the food and urine uptake and can down trees in 2 to 3 year . Trees that are struggling in hot , teetotal condition are specially vulnerable . Prevent a bronze birch tree borer attack by choose a tolerant variety and planting it in a cool , damp locating .
How to Propagate Birch
In the nursery trade , birch tree trees are propagated from seed , cuttings , or graft . The generation method motley with the species . Because all methods are rather mired and require specific conditions , extension of birch trees is better left to horticultural professionals .
Types of Birch
Paper Birch
The most obtrusive feature of the paper birch tree ( Betula papyrifera ) is its clean barque , which peels off in papery strips to reveal the orange - brown inner bark . The tree is single- or multi - stemmed and acquire 50 to 70 ft tall . Paper birch is native to the northerly United States and Canada . geographical zone 2 - 7
River Birch
Considered the most adaptable and heat - tolerant of the birch tree , river birch rod ( Betula nigra ) , also known as black birch , is desirable for more southern fix with hot and humid weather condition . The species is native to the easterly and central United States , The tree , which grows 30 to 70 feet marvelous , has yellow fall foliage and a cinnamon - brown exfoliate barque which is especially eye - catching in the wintertime . A pop cultivar is ‘ Heritage ’ with a highly textural unclothe bark that is light in colour than the metal money . ' Summer Cascade ' , ' Shiloh Splash ' , and ' Fox Valley ' are nanus variety reaching only 8 to 12 feet in peak and width , create them worthy for pocket-sized distance . zona 4 - 9
Dwarf Birch
A deciduous bush and not a tree , dwarf birch ( Betula nana ) grows only 2 to 4 foot tall and spacious . It is native to Alaska and it is passing inhuman - tolerant . Dwarf birch has lowly , rounded , and toothed folio . It is often pruned as a gloomy hedge . The intercrossed cultivar ‘ Golden Treasure ’ ( ‘ Cesky Gold ’ ) has bright , yellow green - yellow leafage . geographical zone 2 - 7
Himalayan Birch
Betula utilisis native to the cragged forests of the Himalayas . It has a pyramidic shape and grows 30 to 40 feet tall . In the fall , the double - serrate , yellow-bellied - commons to green leave of absence turn gold . The white - barked Himalayan birch rod ( Betula utilisvar.jaquemontii ) , which is a by nature occurring diversity , is deal the snowy barque found on a birch rod tree . zona 4 - 7
Birch Companion Plants
Lilyturf
Lilyturfmakes a tough groundcover below a birch tree . It tolerates drouth and turn even in the bearing of the dim and shallow roots of a birch tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . The all-inclusive , grassy leaves of Liriope muscari are often strip and evergreen in a warm climate . geographical zone 5 - 10
Creeping Sedum
The specter cast by birch is not very dense so it ’s suitable for planting creeping sedum such as ' Angelina ' . It only grows 3 to 6 inch in height and quickly form a slow , drouth - kind groundcover with burnished yellow whiz - like flowers in summer . Zone 3 - 11
Barrenwort
This perennial thrives in low ignitor and tolerates root competition beneath trees and bush . Depending on the mintage , barrenwortis evergreen or semi - evergreen , with foliage that is often tipped in shades of burgundy and Au in the bound and sometimes return . Dainty , columbine - like flush in a blanket range of colors emerge in former leap . bishop’s hat is a smashing option for dry or rough soils where other plant may struggle . Zone 4 - 8
Frequently Asked Questions
Birch trees are considered tight - growing trees ; in ideal growing status , new growth between 2 and 3 feet per year is not unusual .
Thequaking aspenis often mistaken for a birch tree tree because it looks similar — tall and sylphlike with middling diminished leaves .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
