There are many cultivars of Silver Birch available depending on what form, color, sterility, and heat tolerance you are looking for. Some of the most popular cultivars are listed below: ‘ Filigree Lace’ - This dwarf form of the silver birch has an intricate cut leafed pattern.
Full Answer
Can I grow a silver birch tree?
The silver birch tree is a common type of tree that can be found in many gardens and parks around the UK. It has a very distinct look with its silver bark and an easily recognisable shape, its long trunk, and branches that curve upwards. Silver Birch are remarkably easy to grow and have many people asking “Can I grow a silver birch in my garden?”
How big does a dwarf silver birch tree get?
‘ Filigree Lace’ - This dwarf form of the silver birch has an intricate cut leafed pattern. It grows to 7 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide ‘Laciniata’ - Has a very serrated cut leaf pattern. Grows 25-30 ft. tall and 15-30 wide ‘Purpurea’ - The new foliage is reddish-purple.
Where to plant dwarf birch trees in a garden?
So, it’s best to plant it in the middle of the garden. This way, it would stand out among the shrubs and be the center of attraction. Choosing landscaping as an activity to engage in seems like an arduous task. It gets even trickier deciding the type of plants to have in your garden. Well, Dwarf Birch Trees are a great choice.
What is the difference between Birch and dwarf birch?
The family contains all birch varieties and other ornamentals such as timber and nut trees of the Northern Hemisphere. Half-inch leaves of Dwarf Birch are thick and leathery upon rather hairy twigs. Flowering in May, the male catkins can be as long as a full inch, while female catkins are smaller.
What is the smallest type of birch tree?
Dwarf Birch (Betula nana) Betula nana is a small dwarf shrub, native to arctic and cool temperate regions, especially tundra landscapes. It will grow in a variety of conditions, though it favors wet but well-drained sites with a rocky, nutrient-poor, acidic soil. It does not tolerate shade well.
Are there birch trees that stay small?
Now, when it comes to dwarf birch trees, they are just like the name suggests, short. They are usually grown to fit into a small space. However, even at that, they can make a bold statement in your garden. And of course, it provides a wide array of designs and beauty.
How tall do dwarf birch trees grow?
Six to 48 inches tallDwarf Birch Plant ProfileBotanical NameBetula nanaPlant TypeDeciduous shrubMature SizeSix to 48 inches tall and 18 to 36 inches wideSun ExposureFull sun to part sunSoil TypeWell-drained clay, loam, or sand6 more rows•May 25, 2021
Can you reduce the height of a silver birch tree?
In addition to reducing the height and spread of the tree, crown reduction can apply to just a portion of the crown, for example, to create a more balanced appearance. Some species, such as beech or silver birch are not appropriate candidates for crown reduction and re-shaping.
Can I plant a silver birch in a small garden?
Silver birch are often good choices for small gardens. They are famed for their stunning bark which looks great throughout winter. Silver birch trees can have a single trunk or be multi-stemmed. Try the weeping Betula pendula 'Youngii' which has arching stems of ovate leaves that fade to yellow in autumn.
Do silver birch trees have invasive roots?
The silver birch is a shallow-rooted tree with root systems that have been known to spread up to 10 metres. Although silver birch roots are not considered to be aggressive, they have been known to cause significant damage to lawns, patios, and other structures.
What is the prettiest birch tree?
6 Birch Trees with Gorgeous Fall Foliage01 of 06. River Birch Tree. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova. ... 02 of 06. Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) ... 03 of 06. Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) ... 04 of 06. Young's Weeping Birch (Betula pendula Youngii) ... 05 of 06. Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) ... 06 of 06. Sweet Birch (Betula lenta)
Can you plant a birch tree in a small garden?
Silver birches are among the best trees for small gardens since they never produce too dense a canopy and their root systems are unlikely to shift foundations. That said, always make sure they are planted at least 10 feet from the house.
What eats dwarf birch?
Numerous wildlife species eat dwarf birch. Moose and caribou browse dwarf birch in Alaska [9,55,77,84]. In south-central Alaska, dwarf birch comprises 13% of vegetation and accounts for 9% of the moose diet [79].
Are silver birch trees a problem?
Problems with large silver birch tree. The tree has become very big in recent years due to lack of pruning. The tree is taller than the houses. It's causing problems with cutting out light, excessive leaf shedding and seeds and sap which damage the pavement and our property.
Can you cut the top off a birch tree?
Removing more than twenty-five percent of the canopy of a tree at one time weakens it and may be fatal. Never top a tree. Remove branches less than 2 inches (5 cm.) in diameter as close as possible to the collar, or thickened area where the branch attaches to the trunk.
Can you shape a silver birch tree?
Important considerations when pruning a silver birch tree It is vital that you do not over prune your silver birch tree. Always approach the task with a less-is-more attitude. Over-pruning can lead to rot pockets which weaken the tree. Also, before you start your pruning, give your tree a close look over.
Is there a dwarf river birch tree?
Dwarf River Birch Tree or Fox Valley River Birch is a beautiful, multi-branched tree that provides unusual winter interest. A dwarf Variety that will only reach heights of 10 feet. Perfect for gardeners with smaller gardens that still want to enjoy the peeling bark of the River Birch Tree.
Can you keep a river birch small?
The goal with pruning is to be as selective as possible. Only prune where necessary and never take more than 20 percent of the tree's structure away. Focus on the dry branches close to the collar of your river birch tree, and get rid of them if they are less than two inches in diameter or around or 5 cm.
Can you plant a birch tree in a small garden?
Silver birches are among the best trees for small gardens since they never produce too dense a canopy and their root systems are unlikely to shift foundations. That said, always make sure they are planted at least 10 feet from the house.
What is the most beautiful birch tree?
6 Birch Trees with Gorgeous Fall Foliage01 of 06. River Birch Tree. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova. ... 02 of 06. Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) ... 03 of 06. Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) ... 04 of 06. Young's Weeping Birch (Betula pendula Youngii) ... 05 of 06. Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) ... 06 of 06. Sweet Birch (Betula lenta)
How big does a silver birch get?
It grows to 7 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide.
Why is my silver birch tree prone to erosion?
Not much grows beneath it because the weeping form blocks much of the light from under the tree. Slopes surrounding the area under the silver birch are prone to soil erosion due to lack of ground cover.
What is the best tree to plant in a garden?
An easy way to introduce this into a landscape design is by planting the Silver Birch ( Betula pendula). The silver birch is a cool climate tree that is known for its pleasing aesthetic.
Why isn't there much growth under birch trees?
Not much grows beneath it because the weeping form blocks much of the light from under the tree. Slopes surrounding the area under the silver birch are prone to soil erosion due to lack of ground cover. Finally, in some areas of the country, the silver birch is considered invasive .
What temperature do birches grow in?
The plant does best in cool climates where it does not get warmer than 75 o F and where snowy, wet winters are the norm. It grows in USDA Zones 2-7 . Birches do not thrive in the heat and humidity and will suffer in areas lower than zone 7.
Is silver birch good for humid areas?
There is not a season without a visual delight. However, there are some issues worth considering before planting a silver birch. As noted, the tree prefers cooler conditions, so it is not ideal for areas that suffer from high humidity and warm summers.
Do silver birch trees need fertilizer?
Silver birch is adept at growing well in many different soil types and will take to a soil that is not particularly fertile. No supplemental fertilizer should be needed.
Where do dwarf birch trees grow?
Dwarf Birch prefers full sun, but it will grow in part shade where it can receive direct sunlight for two to six hours of the day. Native to Alaska, northern Canada to Baffin Island, Labrador, and Greenland, it thrives in moist and cool conditions.
What is a dwarf birch?
She plants food and flowers in her native Zone 6B. Dwarf Birch is a deciduous, low and spreading shrub. Native to tundra landscapes, it is cold-hardy in Zones 2 through 7 and provides year-round interest. Generally, this plant is called Betula nana though other hybrids (below) are also commonly called Dwarf Birch.
How big does dwarf birch grow?
Plant Dwarf Birch in cool weather. Depending on the variety, it grows six to 48 inches tall and spreads between 18 and 36 inches. Space accordingly at 24 inches wide for smaller varieties like Glengarry and up to 40 inches wide for larger varieties such as Cesky Gold®.
What is the color of resin birch?
Colorful foliage changes from the characteristic chartreuse to the autumnal hues of yellow, red, and orange. Resin Birch (Betula glandulosa or Betula nana s.l.) is known as the American Dwarf Birch. It is a taller birch shrub that is still considered a dwarf. It grows six feet tall in zones 3-9.
How tall does a resin birch grow?
It is a taller birch shrub that is still considered a dwarf. It grows six feet tall in zones 3-9. Bark is brown to black, twigs are short and glandular. Leaves are paler underneath. The State of Montana Field Guide reports it is similar to Betula pumila because hybrids are so common. Some group all dwarf birch varieties under the Betula nana species name.
What is the color of birch bark?
Bark is brown to black, twigs are short and glandular. Leaves are paler underneath. The State of Montana Field Guide reports it is similar to Betula pumila because hybrids are so common. Some group all dwarf birch varieties under the Betula nana species name.
What is the difference between a dwarf birch and a male catkin?
Flowering in May, the male catkins can be as long as a full inch, while female catkins are smaller.
How many branches does a silver birch tree grow?
Like many trees, when topping a silver birch tree by pruning the central leader (trunk), the tree will grow maybe 5 or 6 smaller branches from where the cut was made which can make the shape of the tree look a little odd and unnatural.
What is a Silver Birch?
Silver birch trees, Betula pendula, are a common fixture in the forests of the UK and North America that belong to the Betulaceae family (the same family as beeches).
How deep does a silver birch tree spread?
The silver birch is a shallow-rooted tree with root systems that have been known to spread up to 10 metres. Although silver birch roots are not considered to be aggressive, they have been known to cause significant damage to lawns, patios, and other structures.
Why is silver birch not shaded?
The Silver Birch is shade intolerant meaning that it demands an open space away from other trees or buildings where it will not be shaded out by direct sunlight during the warmer months of the year because these times are when it needs most light energy via photosynthesis for sustained growth and development.
What to do if you see bats in a silver birch?
If you do see bats in your silver birch, it would be a good idea to arrange a bat survey.
Do silver birch roots grow?
Much like a tree trunk, roots will grow and thicken as the tree matures and due to the silver birch being so shallow rooted, it does not take much for them to show at the surface.
Can silver birch trees subside?
This soil shrinkage has the potential to destabilise and damage the foundations of structures around the tree which can ultimately cause subsidence to your property. Silver Birch roots in your lawn can be a real nuisance and lead to a bumpy and uneven surface.
How to grow silver birch fast?
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. This should be well drained; mound up the bed of soil if the soil is poorly drained. Keep the area around the Birch free of grass and use plenty of water in the middle of summer. Fertilise often with small doses of complete fertiliser.
How fast does a silver birch tree grow?
They are easy to grow and if properly looked after they will grow quickly for the first few years, with growth of up to 6ft per year.
Why do birches clump together?
The advantage of clump planting is that multiple white trunks have a far bigger impact than a single tree trunk, and when birches are clumped close together the competition between the trees stops them from becoming too large. Clump several Birches together for a more striking effect.
Is silver birch a fashion item?
Many trees and shrubs go in and out of fashion, but the Silver Birch is not a fashion item. It is an elegant tree that adds a touch of class and beauty to any landscape. The presence of Silver Birch in the garden does not date the garden.
Can birch trees grow in pipes?
They are quite shallow and generally don’t go for the pipes. Silver Birch can be used as a specimen or they can be planted in a clump of 3-5 trees.
What is a silver birch tree?
The Silver Birch Tree is a fast-growing slender tree with hanging branches and silver-white bark. Yellow-green catkins appear in spring and the delicate bright green leaves turn a soft yellow in autumn.
When do silver birch trees turn yellow?
Small delicate light green leaves turn a soft yellow in autumn.
