How long does it take a silver birch tree to grow?
Silver birch (Betula pendula) is a striking, medium-sized deciduous tree native throughout the UK and Europe.
Tolerant of a range of temperatures, it grows as far south as Spain and as far north as Lapland. It thrives in dry woodlands, downs and heaths. It is a popular garden tree and often hybridises with our other native birch, the downy birch (Betula pubescens), which is more common in Scotland.
Average Growth
-
Many birch trees reach a mature height of approximately 40 feet, including European, river and paper birch species; river and paper birch may reach closer to 70 feet. Young birch trees grow more quickly, with growth slowing significantly as they near maturity. Poor environments such as those that are hot, dry or provide less sunlight result in less total growth.
Variety
-
White birch grows moderately fast, at a rate of 1 to 2 feet per year. The Betula occidentalis and Betula cordifolia varieties of birch grow slowly, at a rate of less than 12 inches per year. Most paper birches grow almost 10 feet over five years, gaining 30 to 40 feet after two decades.
Considerations
-
Birch trees are susceptible to various types of borers. This slows growth and eventually kills birch trees in a matter of a few years. The borer is more likely to infest a birch tree that is stressed from being planted in less-than-ideal growing conditions.
Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_7161517_fast-do-birch-trees-grow_.html
What does birch look like?
Mature trees can reach 30m in height, forming a light canopy with elegant, drooping branches. The white bark sheds layers like tissue paper and becomes black and rugged at the base. As the trees mature, the bark develops dark, diamond-shaped fissures. Twigs are smooth and have small dark warts.
Light green leaves are small and ovate with a toothed edge, which fade to yellow in autumn.
Silver birch is monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers (catkins) are found on the same tree, from April to May. Male catkins are long and yellow-brown in colour, and hang in groups of two to four at the tips of shoots, like lambs’ tails. Female catkins are smaller, short, bright green and erect. After successful pollination (by wind), female catkins thicken and change colour to a dark crimson. Masses of tiny seeds are borne in autumn, which are dispersed by wind.
Interesting fact: silver birch can be used to improve soil quality for other plants to grow. Its deep roots bring otherwise inaccessible nutrients into the tree, which are recycled on to the soil surface when the tree sheds its leaves.
Value to wildlife
Birch woods (which may include downy or silver birch, or both) have a light, open canopy, providing the perfect conditions for grasses, mosses, wood anemone, bluebells, wood sorrel and violets to grow.
Silver birch provides food and habitat for more than 300 insect species – the leaves attract aphids, providing food for ladybirds and other species further up the food chain, and are also a food plant for the caterpillars of many moths, including the angle-shades, buff tip, pebble hook-tip, and Kentish glory. Birch trees are particularly associated with specific fungi including fly agaric, woolley milk cap, birch milk cap, birch brittlegill, birch knight, chanterelle and the birch polypore (razor strop).
Woodpeckers and other hole-nesting birds often nest in the trunk, while the seeds are eaten by siskins, greenfinches and redpolls.
Mythology and symbolism
In early Celtic mythology, the birch symbolised renewal and purification. Bundles of birch twigs were used to drive out the spirits of the old year, and gardeners still use the birch besom, or broom, to ‘purify’ their gardens. It is also used as a symbol of love and fertility. In Scottish Highland folklore, a barren cow herded with a birch stick would become fertile, and a pregnant cow would bear a healthy calf.
How we use birch
Birch wood is tough and heavy, making it suitable for making furniture, handles and toys. It was used to make hardwearing bobbins, spools and reels for the Lancashire cotton industry. The bark is used for tanning leather.
Silver birch wood is of little commercial value in Britain because the trees do not grow as large as they do in other parts of Europe.
Threats
Planted birch appears to be susceptible to birch dieback, which is caused by two fungal pathogens, Marssonina betulae and Anisogramma virgultorum. Naturally regenerated birch (grown naturally from seed) appears to be less prone to this disease.
Birch Tree Soil Requirements
Moisture and Temperature
-
Birch trees require cool, moist soil to thrive. Due to their shallow root systems, they have a low tolerance for drought conditions, which will cause birch trees to weaken and lose their leaves, even after short periods of drought. Mulching around the base of your tree will help keep soil moist and protect it from heat during warmer months. Proper placement of your tree in a shaded area will also help moderate soil temperature. Though birch trees require cool soil, their leaves require full to partial sunlight to flourish. The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests planting birch trees on the north and east sides of buildings where their leaves can receive adequate sunlight while the soil remains shaded in the afternoons. Though birch trees like their soil to be moist, they do not like it to be drenched, so avoid planting birch trees in areas prone to flood. Birch species most tolerant of overly wet or dry soils include Whitespire birch, red birch and river birch.
Loose Soil
-
Because birch tree roots are so shallow, soil compaction can prove damaging over time. Avoid planting trees on pathways, driveways or other areas with heavy traffic that may compact the soil. To help keep soil loose and aerated, the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests mulching with leaf compost, wood chips or shredded bark. Some stone mulch is also an option, though it doesn’t offer the added benefits of organic mulch. You should also take care when using crushed limestone as it may increase your soil pH.
Soil pH
-
Birch trees prefer slightly acidic soil–between pH 5.0 and 6.5. Though you can take steps to adjust your soil pH–adding lime to raise it or sulfur to lower it–you will most likely need to continue making these adjustments for the life of your tree. Some birch species tolerate pH variations better than others. Paper Birch, White Birch and Canoe Birch tolerate alkaline soil fairly well.
Read more : http://www.ehow.com/list_6180871_birch-tree-soil-requirements.html
Overview
Silver birch is a large tree reaching an average of 50 to 75 feet high with a spread of 15 to 25 feet. The tree is known for its unusual bark and green leaves that seem to glitter in the sunshine. Silver birch is sometimes called yellow birch or gray birch. These trees require a lot of care and normally have a short life span of only 20 years, although they can live up to 50 years in ideal conditions. The silver birch prefers cooler weather and is hardy in USDA planting zones 3 through 6.
Step 1
Obtain a soil test kit from the local garden center or contact the county extension center for one. Silver birch trees do best in soil with a pH of 5.5. If the soil test reveals a higher pH level, measures should be taken to lower it.
Step 2
Dampen the soil and rake to aerate if the soil test shows a need to lower the pH. Spread the aluminum sulfate on warm, damp soil and rake again to mix it in with the soil. Rake shallowly so as not to damage any surface roots around the tree. Refer to the soil test for the amount to apply.
Step 3
Water the tree to keep the soil moist. In cooler weather, the soil will retain the water for longer periods, but in hot summers the tree may have to be watered every day. Silver birch has shallow roots, so the area above them must be kept moist.
Step 4
Place a layer of compost over the soil under the spread of the tree. This will help to retain the moisture and keep weeds from growing and competing with the tree for water and nutrients.
Step 5
Spread a three-inch layer of pine needles around the tree. This will provide water retention and will help to lower the soil pH. Aluminum sulfate will work when it is applied, but a constant breakdown of the acid in the pine needles will keep the level lower.
Step 6
Fertilize each spring with an azalea fertilizer or fertilizer for some other acid loving plant. This will also help with the soil pH. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on the amount to use.
Birches Below 15 Feet
-
One of the smallest birch trees available is a cultivar of the river birch (Betual nigra) known as Little King. This hybrid is small enough at between 8 to 10 feet to work in mass plantings, taking advantage of the tree’s exfoliating bark of many colors. Little King features branches all the way to the ground and a rounded shape — the tree is often as wide as it is tall. Little King grows well in damp soil, much like the parent species.
Birches 20 to 40 feet.
-
Among the species of birch trees, the gray birch (Betula populifolia) is a small type, growing between 20 and 40 feet. Its chalky bark combines with its ability to develop in poor quality sites to make gray birch an option. Certain river birch hybrids remain a manageable size, with Crimson Frost at between 25 and 40 feet. Crimson Frost has exceptional foliage; its leaves are purple, going to red, yellow and orange in fall. This tree also has a white, peeling bark. Developed to grow in hot, humid climates and resist insect pests and disease, Dura-Heat is a river birch hybrid that grows to 40 feet. It, too, boasts an exfoliating, multicolored bark.
Birches 40 to 70 Feet
-
The Dahurian birch is an Asian tree with interesting bark. The bark on young individuals peel in strips, but seems to puff up off the trunk on the older specimens. Growing between 40 and 60 feet, Dahurina birch is suitable for planting by itself or in groups of trees. Cultivated forms of sweet birch (Betula lenta) remain in the 40- to 55-foot range when mature. This birch has a much darker bark than most birch types. European birch (Betula pendula) is an easy species to grow, preferring full sun and exhibiting a white bark and drooping limbs. Most develop to be from 40 to 60 feet tall.
Birches Over 70 Feet
-
Growing sometimes close to 100 feet high, the yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) is a northeast native capable of growing to USDA plant hardiness zone 3. Yellow birch’s gaudy yellow fall foliage makes it a desirable lawn and shade species. The river birch is a larger birch type, with many maturing to 70 feet. The non-native Monarch birch (Betula maximowicziana) of Japan in the wild grows between 80 and 100 feet. It has the largest foliage of the birch species, according to the University of Connecticut Plant Database, with some leaves up to 6 inches long. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is famous for its white, peeling bark, occasionally growing to 70 feet tall.
Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_7997415_type-birch-trees-there.html
Health / Food / Conspiracy / Big Pharma 
Leave a comment