"They're popular here in the South because they're native, grow fast, develop handsome flaking bark, and don't fall victim to all the borers, bugs, and diseases other birches do. It's world famous for its silky, smooth, light-tan bark that peels and exfoliates to reveal tantalizing glimpses of beautiful salmon-pink and cinnamon brown-colored patches beneath. But as a landscape tree, it can be planted almost anywhere in the U.S. As with most birches, the river birch may fall prey to the birch leafminer (Fenusa pusilla). Among the tools you can use are the following: Hand Pruning Shears: Stems up to half inch in diameter can be pruned with hand shears. Two of the most common birch tree species in the Northeast are the River Birch and White Birch. Pruning is best carried out in late spring, summer, or fall to avoid any heavy sap from flowing from cuts. Reply. River birch (Betula nigra) belongs in the category, "Beautiful Trees for Someone Else's Yard. Answer + 2. Patti. The time to make a long lasting effect on the form and structure of the plant is when the tree … It is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture **plant hardiness zones 4 through 9a**. A beautiful, fast-growing shade tree that thrives from North to South, the Dura Heat® River Birch is one-of-a-kind. These trees have their own charms, however. The various species of birch trees (Betula spp.) We have a large river birch in back yard about 30 feet from house. Reply. River Birch Tree Facts Whether you plant European white birch (Betula pendula) or paper birch (Betula papyrifera), your pruners will sit on the shelf most of the time. Birch – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing. The species is valued for its relatively rapid growth, tolerance of wetness and some drought, unique curling bark, spreading limbs, and relative resistance to birch borer.

Caring for Your Birch Tree. Seasons of Color in One Tough Tree Why Dura Heat® River Birch Trees? The birch tree is popular among homeowners due to its beautiful bark, modest size and graceful branches. Helpful. Answered. We no longer recommend binding, wrapping or painting pruning cuts, the best thing is to let them heal naturally. First, some trees, like Birch may end up showing oozy stains from the rising sap trickling down their otherwise lovely bark. The process of growing new branches and limbs takes energy away from a tree. It is a tree that has something to offer for every season.. Pruning at the correct time will minimise bleeding as well. The river birch is a popular tree for river banks and wet parts of the garden. Call in an arborist for consultation, you do not want to hurt or inadvertently kill the tree with improper pruning. The River Birch (Betula nigra) is the most planted Birch in the United States and the best one for hot climates. Keep reading to learn more river birch tree facts, such as river birch tree care and effectively using river birch trees in the landscape of your home. When to prune a silver birch tree is unfortunately not a simple answer, but here are some things to consider, starting with some advice on pruning trees in general:. All trees react to pruning cuts, which cause regrowth to compensate for the loss of the branch or limb removed. As its name suggests, the river birch naturally grows along riverbanks. These trees should be pruned in fall, after the leaves have dropped. A few branches can be removed in summer, if needed, after the trees leaves have reached full size. They "bleed" sap quite freely when cut in the spring. Helpful. Tree has grown to about 50 feet tall. There are several tools available for pruning a birch tree, you will have to choose between one or the other depending on several factors, the most important is the age (height) of the birch. I agree--call a pro.