Birch roots are among the most aggressive -- and destructive -- tree roots. It is a fast-growing, easy-care tree that thrives in urban settings. When fall arrives, the diamond-shaped, double-toothed leaves turn golden yellow before dropping from the trees. It is an excellent tree as its roots do a great job holding shorelines together, helping to prevent erosion. The river birch produces separate male and female flowers in the form of catkins. Avoid areas near large amounts of pavement for example. Trees typically live 50 -75 years. Birch have shallow root systems and prefer a cool moist soil, avoid planting them in hot dry situations. Mulching also helps to maintain soil temperature. 1-2 inches of soil can be added as a top dressing. River Birch is a fast growing medium-sized tree in most residential landscapes, usually getting about 30 to 40 ft high in such places. With the widest range of all the native birches, the river birch grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. The secret of growing good fast growing Silver Birch is to select young healthy trees that haven’t been in pots for years, plant them with no root disturbance and have at least 4ft of grass free, mulched or cultivated garden bed around each tree. What Kind of Seeds Does a Poplar Tree Have? In 2002, one of its cultivars was even named the Urban Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2 INTRODUCTION A North American native, ‘Heritage’ river birch can grow 50 to 80 feet tall but is often seen at 40 to 50 feet (Fig. Birds, like wild turkey and grouse, eat birch seeds, as do voles and other small mammals. It is primarily found east of the Mississippi River. Caused by fungal growth that starts in the root, root rot disease spreads from the bottom up through the entire tree. Birch tree transplant help needed! Can You Plant a River Birch Near a Fence? The multiple, slender trunks are draped in silver, satiny bark that splits to allow the nut-brown inner bark to peep through. Plant a birch tree where the sun is partially blocked so it reaches the leaves but not the ground. The Good Guys. You can start new birches from seeds by surface planting fresh seeds from mature cones in a sheltered area. It is hardy, growing in zones 4-9. River birch have shallow root systems and surface roots are common. River Birch Tree Root System Studiousguy. If this beauty is deprived of any water, it will seep into your septic system in search of it. ‘Heritage’ River Birch1 Edward F . We live in Nebrask … read more Trees need oxygen as well as water and soil and that is why roots grow near the surface. Still, don’t plant any of even these near a vegetable garden! Oregon State University: Betula occidentalis, U.S. Forest Service: How to Grow and Maintain a Healthy Birch Tree. Plus, River Birches tolerate soggy conditions where other trees won’t grow. So what is the secret to growing a nice birch tree? Like other birches, a river birch's root system is wide and spreading, but not powerful enough to wreak havoc on your foundation. Native species such as water birch (Betula occidentalis), hardy to USDA zones 2 to 4, according to Oregon State University, and specially bred cultivars such as 'Dura-Heat' river birch tree (Betula nigra 'Dura-Heat'), hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7, according to Monrovia, might require less attention. Birch trees like soil … Their roots provide a clue as to why the trees are most successful in cool, moist climates -- and to how to help them adapt to drier areas. Root System of the Silver Birch Tree; The best shrubs for a tall screen quickly ; The Best Trees to Plant on a River Bank; Silver birch tree facts; HOMEPAGE HEALTH. A birch tree also needs plenty of sun to grow well, but that can also dry up moisture. Birches are medium-sized trees, growing from 30 to 40 feet tall, according to University of California Integrated Pest Management. How To Grow And Maintain A Healthy Birch Tree. What Kind of Tree to Use for Instant Shade? Step 8 Front Yard Landscape Makeover The Beginning Between Naps On. Pollination results in the birch's fruit, small cones that are packed with hairy seeds. Horticulturists at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center say river birches in dry situations drop their leaves, languish and die, and Cal Poly rates the root damage potential as low. How to Grow Birch Trees: Due to its shallow root system the birch tree is very sensitive to heat and drought. This species is well suited to wet soil and along stream sides it often sends roots right into the stream. Thanks to its shallow root system, river birch is easy to transplant. The river birch's (Betula nigra) common name gives a clue about this graceful tree's needs. In the taproot system, there is one main root from which lateral root branches originate. Written on: July 14, 2020. Most river birch trees stay under 50 feet tall, but some can shoot up to almost twice that height. University of California Integrated Pest Management: Birch -- Betula Spp. It needs moist, cool soil, but also sunshine on its leaves to flourish. Do birch trees have a shallow root system? Its weak branches fall in storms. This is the behavior that has many property owners concerned. Locating birches away from oaks, conifers and other susceptible varieties also helps improve their odds of avoiding the root-destroying pathogen. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Betula Nigra (River Birch), University of Minnesota Extension: River Birch, Michigan State University: All-Season Trees: River Birch. The trees produce green or brown cones in summer. Their root systems are very strong, and spread wide as they grow. Its flowers appear as catkins in winter and spring, with the 2- to 4-inch male catkins hanging and the 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch female catkins growing upright. According to The Grumpy Gardener, “Its roots are infamous for clogging water lines and breaking sidewalks. As it matures, the tree bark shows other silvery shades of orange, lavender and salmon. It will grow about 30 inches or more each year in USDA hardiness zone 7, faster in the south. Birch pollen causes significant allergy in some people but pollen is produced for … Cut out only 20 percent or less of the total root mass. Water the tree liberally and continue covering the root ball with dirt until you can see only the top of the root ball. It is very good for the tree because turf is a strong competitor for water and as the canopy gets denser there is less light and grass gets shaded out. River Birch At Nature Hills Nursery. Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images. The birds-nest tangle of roots may prevent other plants from thriving near the river birch's base. As long as you provide the river birch with enough water, and probably even if you don't, its roots will not damage your house. Water the river birch tree once every 3 to 5 days in the spring. Substantial white birch roots fill the area around the tree and probe cracks in barriers, including concrete. Unfortunately, birch roots are susceptible to oak root fungus disease. Measure the trunk's diameter at chest height in inches. River Birch Tree Facts River birch trees (Betula nigra) are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. Place the root ball in the hole and cover halfway with soil. Every tree has its preferences. Birch trees require acidic, loamy soil that stays consistently moist to stay healthy. Note that during the heat of summer months, it is essential to water daily! The silver birch -- tall, slender and pale -- is called the Lady of the Wood in folklore. But the tree is adaptable and grows readily in average soil in full sun or part shade as long as it gets ample water. The roots of the silver birch spread wide but close to the soil surface. Most importantly is the use of bark or wood chip mulch over the root system – the bigger the area the better. Although some river birch cultivars are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 and 9, they are not always successful in dry Mediterranean climates. Roots will grow first where the soil is loose and organic, but will also conquer clay soil. They will need both light and regular moisture to grow. However, its shallow root system makes it a difficult ornamental tree. River birch- Starting off with the absolute worst first, River birch trees in Stone Mountain are the absolute most invasive roots because they are the most water seeking. It grows about 2 to 2.5 ft/yr and lives about 100 years in nature. This birch does tolerate heat over 85 degrees F and so it does not get attacked by Bronze Birch Borer, unless it is very old and dying already. The spreading canopy provides shade in northern and southern climates. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Birch tend to produce shallow roots that spread out over a large area. Dig up the birch tree that you are transplanting and move it to its new location. Unfortunately, there is no cure for root rot disease. This shade tree has highly symmetrical branching and upright pyramidal to upright oval form. Trees can transplant in summer, even in the deep south, without problems provided irrigation is present. Determine which roots are safe to cut. Some trees have deeper root systems. Native trees and cultivars bred for the climate will not only live longer, but they will also have better-behaved roots -- a tree that has to struggle to survive aggressively hunts for water and nutrients. A perennial bed under the tree is an excellent idea. River birch is a medium to tall tree, growing 60-80 feet at maturity and about 40 wide. You’ll find a list of trees with deeper roots here: Garden-Friendly Trees. Its root system is shallow, which means the roots cannot travel deeply to find hidden water reserves. It should be pruned in summer because it bleeds if pruned in spring. The tree’s aggressive roots seek water, prying open cracks or joints in sewer or irrigation systems. Do not cut any of your birch tree's roots within a circle whose radius in inches is that number. This is because the birch’s native habitat tends to be at the edge of wooded areas and along waterways, where the soil is highly organic due to the constant decay of leaves and wood and moist due to shaded conditions and the proximity of water. But their roots are not able to grow strong enough to damage a house or other structure. She currently divides her life between San Francisco and southwestern France. They are more heat tolerant than most of their birch relatives, making them a good choice in many parts of the southern U.S. Watering is crucial during those heat waves! Heritage River Birch and other selections of this species are superior substitutes for the over-utilized shade tree known as Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), since, in addition to its above-listed attributes, River Birch has wood that, although rapidly growing and relatively lightweight, is not brittle and therefore not prone to wind or ice damage, as is Silver Maple. What To Do About River Birch Roots. We just purchased and had a 3-tree cluster of Heritage River Birch trees professionally planted by a nursery. As a landscape plant, it is grown as a single-stem tree or in a clump as a multi-stemmed tree with three or more trunks. Birch roots fan out in a 4- to 8-inch thick mat just under the surface where they can easily catch rain as it begins to percolate through the soil. 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