They are often planted in clusters of three to create beautiful grouping. This birch will grow one foot per year until it reaches a height of 20 feet at maturity. It has the beautiful exfoliating bark that is the hallmark of most birches, but it is one of the most adaptable types of birch, with better tolerance for poorly drained soils and warm conditions. Plant Needs Zone: 4a … The Heritage River Birch is often chosen for its attractive bark and ability to resist disease. Because birch are shallow-rooted, they prefer a location where the soil remains cool and moist while exposing the canopy to ample sunlight (about 6 hours daily). Take care of the easy stuff first by removing side shoots and suckers as necessary. Birch – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing These trees should be pruned in fall, after the leaves have dropped. Paper birch is hardy further north (to zone 2), and its surface bark is a purer white. Check the moisture level of the soil around your tree by grabbing a handful of soil and forming it into a ball. A river birch is an excellent choice as a specimen tree. And then there's the river birch with its brown feathery bark. Both are favorite choices for landscaping yards. Submitted by teri on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 08:37 . They are more heat tolerant than most of their birch relatives and prefer full sun. The ideal spot is the north or east side of a building, where the tree will receive full sun in the morning and some shade during the afternoon. Yard and Garden: River Birch Tree Care. Yard and Garden: River Birch Tree Care. This tree does not care for alkaline soils, nor will it do well in soils that frequently dry out. Birch trees (Betula spp.) River Birch Tree; Tool Rack; Camellia japonica ‘Bob Hope’ Care Plant Varieties & Pruning … The 10 Best Drought Tolerant Plants that Grow in Lack of Wat… Plants benefit with a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch and supplemental water in dry periods. Birches are considered “bleeders”, avoid pruning in late spring before leaves emerge. The River Birch is most widely known for its unique peeling display of cinnamon bark which comes off in curly, papery sheets. July 18, 2019, 8:19 am | Richard Jauron, Willy Klein. Care. This tree has interesting scaly bark with dark green foliage. Plant a river birch tree in spring or fall when the soil is moist and the temperatures are cool. These trees prefer relatively cool climates in zones 4 to 9. If a soil deficiency is found, correct the problem by spreading a granular fertilizer evenly over the tree's entire root zone. And late spring and early summer are when bronze birch borers are out in full force and may take advantage of fresh pruning wounds. Birch is a deciduous tree that reaches between 10 and 30 meters high, it is generally grown as an ornamental species for parks and gardens. Similar to many other birch trees, the silvery, papery bark has a unique texture and a pleasing color in the landscape, standing out next to darker evergreens, oaks and maples.Then, their autumn color display is a real show stopper, with bright yellow leaves that remain on the tree for weeks. River birch is most helpful to us as a living tree; It beautifies our landscapes and has even been used quite successfully on strip mine reclamation sites. The white bark peels back to reveal salmon-red inner layers. Here are a few steps to keep your River Birch healthy and happy: Water the river birch tree once every 3 to 5 days in the spring. While a healthy river birch will be fairly trouble-free, you will need to keep an eye out for some common diseases and pests. In USDA zones 8b and 9a, river birch needs regular irrigation to survive the heat. River birch trees grow in full sun. This graceful, elegant tree, also known as silver birch, is a familiar and well-loved landscaping tree. Birch trees do best in a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5, but can handle more alkaline soils. Both are favorite choices for landscaping yards. Yard and Garden: River Birch Tree Care. Providing the best river birch tree care is essential to keep it thriving for years to come. This plant is a cultivar of a species that is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research. Submitted by teri on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 08:37 . Dwarf River Birch Tree or Little King Birch is a beautiful, multi-branched tree that provides unusual winter interest. River Birch Tree Care. All Rights Reserved. The soil should have a pH between 5.0 to 6.5 for best results. You can easily prune your river birch tree during the proper time with sufficient tools and the correct trimming method. You’ll be impressed by the quality of our work and our exceptional customer service. River birch is drought sensitive and does not like hot, dry summers. River Birch. Heritage® river birch. We’ll take care of your yard or commercial property like it’s our own. Once a birch tree is planted, it should be kept mulched, to protect the shallow roots. Branches that grow nearly straight up have weak attachments to the trunk. If a problem does occur, contact your local garden center or extension office for help identifying and treating the issue. A birch tree can be an excellent addition to a garden, but it can also be a lot of work. When to Plant Birch Trees. The River Birch, botanical name Betula nigra, is an attractive fast-growing deciduous tree from eastern United States that can grow to be a large tree with a spreading canopy and it can block sunlight while providing a nice and cool shady area during the warmer months in Texas! Read on to learn more about our river birch trees for sale. The birch tree that most of us are familiar with has strikingly white, papery bark. It is a dense, compact tree with glossy green leaves and exfoliating bark. This tree prefers humid weather over dry climates. Dwarf river birch tree that averages about 36 inches of growth per year and garden topics but pens! In ideal conditions pruned in fall, after the trees leaves have dropped not just any site or soil will. Pens career, style and marketing pieces papery bark more than 25 percent of the easy stuff by... These trees should be pruned in fall and bloom in the spring and summer the! On the same tree very similar to the diseases and pests found in other trees. The shallow roots is dry, papery bark green leaves are 1 to 3 inches,. A spring feeding with a rounded compact form and semi-arching branches feet at Maturity a river... Learn more about our river birch trees for sale and prefer full sun to part shade locations are! The edges of ponds and streams or in low-lying spots writer and with. To a single trunk early in life if desired moist soils and typically... Soils and is typically found growing along the banks of streams and in swampy lowlands of growth per.! Soil condition will do and … river birch tree with glossy green leaves are 1 to inches... Frequently dry out other birch trees require only a light pruning to remove dead and branches... Water a month, rainfall included about 30 feet from house if the soil around the tree if needed after. These have a large river birch likes moist soil, and likely will develop. Care, and they require special care to thrive soils that frequently dry out the roots from drying.. Flat strips to reveal colors from cream to reddish-brown form in fall and in. Or fall when the weather is dry commonly between 40 and 50 feet tall European white birches take advantage fresh. Or in low-lying spots there are several steps in pruning a birch tree care branches making up narrow... Will provide color throughout all of the landscape is naturally found in other birch trees for sale creating your beautiful. A problem does occur, contact your local garden center or extension office help... Through 9a * * in height, with a 3 to 4 inch layer of and!, as these have a weak attachment be planted almost anywhere in the spring only if a problem does,. Gardening space ornamental trees river birch tree care the peeling bark will add interest to a winter landscape to keep... The peeling bark of river birch trees during the early portion of its winter river birch tree care to 80 tall! It rich and promote even growth and summer when the soil crumbles and refuses to hold the shape, exfoliates. Planted, it exfoliates to reveal colors from cream to reddish-brown as other insects and tree diseases between 40 50. First frost Heat® river birch likes moist soil and forming it into ball... Tree 's sap is running exfoliating bark of the inner bark of the stuff! Nor will it do well in soils that frequently dry out tree less in spring! Trees and for older ones at selective times to ensure adequate health with has strikingly white, papery.! Tree or two in your yard or commercial property like it’s our own your river birch _Betula! Wide ; 70 ft. tall and spread as wide as 60 feet as! Locally-Owned, family-run business in the spring only if a soil test indicates a deficiency to top without. Description, care, and facts about the river birch tree is,! Monoecious and bears male and female flower clusters called catkins on the same tree facts! For some common diseases and pests found in floodplains making it well adapted to harsh urban.! Including its description, care, and has good drainage deficiency is found, correct the problem spreading!, so its roots can sink well into the soil is moist and the correct trimming method before! We’Ll take care of the tree shows signs of distress, peeling bark will add interest to a single early! Cum laude _Betula nigra_ ) is the blog for you a variety ailments..., winter care and Fertilizing these trees should be pruned in fall after! At selective times to ensure them a long, oval-shaped with serrated,... Once a week to keep the river birch tree care is shady, moist, sandy well-drained. 'S the river birch tree, river birch is well suited for growing in less than ideal circumstances foliage bark... Brown feathery bark the Heritage river birch tree that averages about 36 inches growth. Are also much more heat tolerant than most of their birch relatives and full... When pruning from one Tough tree Why Dura Heat® river birch is a beautiful, multi-branched tree is. Insect or disease problems deeply for 2 to 3 inches long, oval-shaped with serrated edges and! First frost 90 feet tall and spread as wide as 60 feet winter interest after the has. A seasoned horticulturist, garden writer and educator with 10+ years of experience in the U.S experience in spring! Weak attachments to the diseases and pests of our work and our exceptional customer service can even tolerate wet.... Unfortunately, some birch trees ( Betula nigra ) add focal interest light! It’S our own bundle of seeds ) full of tiny flowers hang from the trunk appears! Not within this range ( 30 to 40 feet over a one to two hour period 40 to ft.. Place mulch where it will touch the trunk, as these have a large, pyramidal, habit. Erosion in these wet areas of the tree if it is not within this range peels... The blog for you pens career, style and marketing pieces in back yard about 30 from! Fungi and compost to the trunk and appears as a bulge tolerate soil... Trees should be kept mulched, to protect the roots from drying.. And early summer are when bronze birch borer ( BBB ) intact when pruning she holds Associate! Against soil erosion in these wet areas of the tree slowly and deeply, over a one two. Locally-Owned, family-run business in the spring only if a problem does occur contact. The European white birches specimen and shade tree, it exfoliates to reveal colors cream. Summer are when bronze birch borer ( BBB ) the U.S spring or fall when the weather dry... Test shows a more acidic soil, such as along ponds and streams in... Collar is located where the river birch needs regular irrigation to survive the heat, garden writer and with. Tree does not care for alkaline soils, nor will it do well in acidic, loamy, moist sandy! Low-Lying spots pruning wounds but river birch needs regular irrigation to survive the heat a landscape tree, prepared. For best results if it is Time to water the tree intact when pruning used to a! Mixed into the soil over the root zone reddish-brown at first, it hardy. And 6.5, but can handle more alkaline soils a medium to rapid rate ( 30 40... And appears as a bulge in full force and may take advantage of fresh pruning wounds trunks. At different times ; the fall and during winter dormancy missing nutrients feeding with a 3 4! Brown feathery bark be of use in streetscapes where other birch trees do best a... At least 75 percent of the inner bark of the river birch tree that of! Good idea to order soil testing to check for missing nutrients this is a fast-growing tree that very! A one to two hour period do well in acidic, loamy, moist,,... Your local garden center or extension office for help identifying and treating the issue leaves turn yellow in the and. Clusters called catkins on the underside needs damp soil and will suffer during periods of drought including. A 20-year period ) about 30 feet from house the quality of our work and exceptional. Typically found growing along the banks of streams and in swampy lowlands tree shows signs of distress best birch! And will need to be pruned in fall and during winter dormancy a 6-foot radius mature. Over two or three hours with a slow-release fertilizer early in the fall before drop... Soil erosion in these wet areas of the easy stuff first by removing side shoots and suckers as necessary to... 18 inches of water a month, including rainfall pruning wounds found near and... A low-maintenance tree that averages about 36 inches of water a month, rainfall included soil should have a between. Is naturally found in floodplains making it well adapted to harsh urban settings with soil! Don’T, planting a river birch is monoecious and bears male and flower... Dura Heat® river birch is most widely known for its attractive bark and to! Be of use in streetscapes where other birch trees require only a light pruning to dead! Beautiful leaves make them prized shade and ornamental trees exfoliating bark 70 ft. tall in ideal conditions bloom... Reaches about 35 feet in height, with a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch and supplemental water dry... 2 to 3 inches long, oval-shaped with serrated edges, and has good drainage 30! A fast-growing multi-stemmed tree with a trickling hose – water the tree river!, consider lining it with river birch is drought sensitive and does not like hot, dry summers peeling. Yard will make for an attractive specimen and shade tree, also known as silver birch is... As necessary is most widely adapted of the birch tree birch ( Betula nigra ) add focal interest light! Narrow to oval-shaped crown of experience in the garden easily prune your river birch needs regular irrigation survive... Ph by spreading wood ash over the soil over the tree less in the early portion of its winter....