Which Birch Tree to Choose for my Garden?

Exfoliating Bark

Birch bark becomes an important ornamental element in winter when the shedding of leaves exposes trunks and branches and reveals its glory. From warty to smooth, peeling to furrowed, tobacco to cinnamon-red, salmon-pink, or stark white, the variety of bark colors and textures is fascinating. Often, varying bark textures can be admired on the same tree, adding a most attractive and stunning character during winter. Don’t overlook the lenticels, those pleasing raised bands irregularly arranged along the surface of the bark.

White-barked birches are highly popular among gardeners who love the appearance of snow-white trunks gleaming in the winter light. The whitest bark of all birches belongs to the Himalayan birch, Betula utilis. If you prefer such birches, you need to be aware that the silver-white bark appears only after the tree has matured and reached its 5th year or more. Some patience will be needed!

How to Grow Birch Trees

• Sun to light dappled shade lovers, birch trees are easily grown in average, medium to wet soils. They are not fussy about soils and tolerate a wide range of conditions. They like consistently moist soils after planting but will withstand some drought once established. Betula alleghaniensis, Betula dahurica, and Betula nigra are excellent choices for damp (but not waterlogged) soils.
• Most birch trees are exceptionally cold-hardy. Betula pendula and Betula papyrifera can be grown in Zone 2. Some are heat tolerant such as Betula nigra.
• Birches require little care. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running.
• Birch trees are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases: Bronze Birch Borer, Birch Leafminer, Aphids, Leaf Spot, Powdery Mildew and Canker.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting
• Birches do not transplant easily. Plant bare-root trees only when small. Pot-grown plants should be established easily as long as they are well watered after planting.
• Birches are shallow-rooted. Therefore, many herbaceous plants struggle when planted close to their roots, but spring bulbs such as Cyclamen coum will thrive.

Keeping a Fantastic Birch Bark

• To produce a tree with a pretty bark, it is often best to prune off the lower branches when young. This will minimize the branch scars, keeping them relatively small and inconspicuous.
• It is important to prune your birch in full leaf (except for the smallest twigs). Cuts made in late winter and spring, as the leaves develop, will cause excessive sap bleeding and weaken the tree.
• White-barked trees can have their trunks washed with warm water to remove any excessive algae build-up before the return of winter.
• Avoid peeling off bark by hand, as this may damage the tree.