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Birch tree planting configurations are many as the size and growing habits make them suitable to a wide range of landscapes when a few things are kept in mind. Native to Northeastern United States birch trees do best in those zones but can be grown successfully in other areas as well. Birch trees need a symbiotic fungus to thrive in urban areas and need the homeowner to keep a watchful eye out for the pests they are susceptible to.
Birch tree planting site considerations
When thinking of where your birch tree planting should be look to the east and north areas where afternoon shade is available from buildings or other trees. Select a site where the soil can remain cool and damp but the tree will receive sun on the foliage. Birch trees have extremely shallow root systems and are easily damaged by heat, ground compaction or disruption. Look up and make sure the way is clear for the tree to grow 40 to 50 feet without getting tangled in overhead wires. Test the soil in the site you are considering. While white-barked birches can grow well on alkaline soils most birch trees thrive on soils with acidic pH 5.0 -6.5 levels. If pH is greater than 6.5 River Birch should be avoided as it will develop iron chlorosis which causes the leaves to be yellow. Although birch trees need moist soil it can not be wet soil for any but the Heritage or River birch species.
Birch tree selection considerations
Birch trees are native to the cooler northeastern states and eastern Canada. In the far north, USDA Hardiness Zone 3, only birch tree plantings of native paper birch are recommended. Ohio, Iowa and other warmer climate state gardeners will do better with river or Heritage river birch tree plantings which can tolerate warmer climates. In warmer areas mulching 3 to 6 feet around the tree to a depth of 2-4 inches while avoiding contact with the trunk and proper amounts of water are critical in keeping the root system cool and moist. Sweet birch, yellow birch, river birch and Heritage river birch are more resistant to the bronze birch borer which is a serious problem for birch tree plantings. Among the white-barked species the native American paper and gray birch varieties are less susceptible than the exotic species. Birch leafminer is the other pest that must be monitored for.
Birch trees thrive in a particular type of soil. The best addition to soil for a birch tree planting is beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhical fungi live in and around live birch tree roots where it absorbs and passes on minerals and moisture to the tree roots in exchange for sugars and simple carbohydrates the roots provide. The fungi extend the shallow root system of the birch trees far deeper into the soil which helps the trees to survive low soil fertility, drought and other extreme weather conditions.
A birch tree planting is a wonderful addition to urban landscapes but to have a healthy tree or cluster of trees, they must be positioned properly and given the right environment.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about trees and shrubs and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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