Yes, with the right care and attention, silver birch can be grown in containers and in fact, this is a great way to grow them in a small garden. When growing silver birch in containers or pots, the overall growth of the tree will be stunted leaving you with a beautiful, small, and manageable tree.
Is a silver birch tree right for my Garden?
Regardless of which tree you choose. I agree with Dove - silver birch is a big tree and not suited to a small garden. Buckingham Nurseries have an excellent catalogue (you can request it online) of bare root trees (a third of the price of potted ones) indicating which are evergreen, loved by birds, bear fruit etc giving ultimate size and spread.
How many branches does it take to top a silver birch?
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.
Will a silver birch tree damage a foundation?
Silver birch trees grow vigorously and have the potential for damaging structures in their vicinity – a common issue is with residential foundations. This can be more severe when the silver birch is growing in clay soil. In drier months, the tree will absorb all of the water from the soil which causes shrinkage.
Do you cut back your Silver Birch every year?
We have a self sown silver birch in our garden which has been there for about 15 years.Since we also don't want it very large we have to cut it back hard every year because it puts on a lot of growth. It looks a bit ugly when cut but soon grows out rapidly again.We cut it back in winter and in spring it all grows back again.
How do I reduce the size of a silver birch?
At the 18 inch (46 cm.) mark, make a cut one-third to one-half of the way through the branch beginning at the underside and working in an upward direction. This cut prevents the falling branch from stripping bark and wood from the tree as it falls. The Main Cut – Measure an inch or 2 (2.5-5 cm.)
Can you shape a silver birch tree?
When it comes to silver birch trees, these are best pruned between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.
Are there mini birch trees?
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.
Can you cut the top off a birch tree?
Like any other tree, birch trees can be pruned. In fact, sometimes it's even best for their health to cut away dead, diseased, or improperly growing branches.
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.
How far should a birch tree be planted from a house?
20 feetPlanting a birch tree at least 20 feet from your home can be sufficient for some varieties, but if you are still worried, you can plant them even further from your home. If tree roots invade your home, it is likely they are in search of water or nutrients.
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.
What is the smallest growing birch tree?
The Magical Globe Birch is the dwarf form of Betula Pendula, known as Betula Magical Globe. This attractive tree has a lovely ball-shaped top with a silvery-white trunk. Use them in large containers or plant them as a unique border along a drive or other pathway.
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.
How do you stop a tree from growing taller?
How to Make a Tree Stop Growing UpwardCut the top of the tree back to within 2 inches where several other branches are growing from the main trunk. ... Select a new lead from those branches growing closest to the top. ... Prune back all the other limbs in the same section so that the top stay uniform to the rest of the tree.More items...•
How long does a silver birch live?
between 60 and 90 years oldSilver birch is the faster growing of the two, and also the taller, reaching a height of up to 30 metres, whereas downy birch seldom exceeds 21 metres. As pioneer species, they are short-lived, with typical lifespans being between 60 and 90 years old, although some individuals can live up to 150 years.
When can you not trim birch trees?
Pruning Season Remove limbs from your birch tree in the late spring or early summer. Birch trees produce sap during the early spring months. Avoid pruning in the early spring to prevent bleeding. The sap bleeding is not typically harmful to the tree, but pruning is best done after the sap production has stopped.
How do you prune a multi stem silver birch?
Make the cut horizontal and trim the wound so there are no rough edges; the cut stimulates dormant buds which should shoot strongly the following year. After a year or two, restrict the number of main stems by selecting three to five strong, well-spaced shoots and cutting out any weak or surplus shoots to the base.
How do you shape a multi stem tree?
0:5719:41How to create Multi Stem Trees - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i can just remove bits from the side. Like this so that you can walk by it without interferingMoreSo i can just remove bits from the side. Like this so that you can walk by it without interfering with the foliage you can lift the canopy right up in bigger specimens as it gets bigger.
Can you coppice birch trees?
Birch tend to respond well to coppicing in their youth. Fire and grazing are often the reason you see multi-stemmed birch in the wild. If you have a trunk any thicker than your wrist I wouldn't attempt it.
How do you prune a clump birch tree?
How to Prune a River Birch TreeRemove stems or branches growing out of the trunk or around the base of the tree (AKA suckers).Remove diseased branches as soon as they're discovered, regardless of the time of year. ... Remove dead branches.Remove branches that are rubbing against each other.More items...•
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 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 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.
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.
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.