Birch, a very ornamental tree

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Smooth, shiny white bark, small leaves of fresh green in spring turning bright yellow in autumn: birch (Betula) is grown above all for its trunk, which is why it is usually set out in clusters of two or three so the stems bounce light off each other. Give it full sun and it asks for almost no care.

The planting, pruning and care ensure the proper development of your birch.

Read also:

• ornamental bark trees
• ramial chipped wood, rich mulch that gives birch higher value

Planting birch

Plant preferably in fall to favor root development before spring growth in the following year.

If purchased in a pot or in a container, it will also be possible for you to plant anytime during the year while still avoiding frost spells and high temperatures.
If not planted in fall, water often at the beginning.

• Refer to our guidance on how to plant your birch properly here.

• Site the tree well away from the house and from paving, because although most birches stay fairly narrow-crowned relative to their height, their roots are shallow and spread far beyond the canopy.
• Choose the species to suit the ground: downy birch (Betula pubescens) copes with damp, even boggy soil, while warty birch (Betula pendula) prefers lighter, well-drained ground.
• Stake a newly planted birch low on the trunk and remove the tie once it is anchored.

Pruning birch

Birch is pruned in fall or winter, when the tree is in its dormant state.

If you’re planting birch in a small garden, don’t offset the pruning because it can grow over 32 feet (10 meters) tall and just as wide…

Limit yourself to dead, damaged or crossing branches, because birch seals large wounds slowly and old wood rarely produces new shoots.

Diseases and pests connected to birch

This fast-growing tree can be hit by several diseases. None, however, are a threat to a plantation as a whole.

• Leaf spot due to Septoria – leaves are dotted with yellow blotches and tiny black specks.

• Rake up and dispose of spotted fallen leaves rather than leaving them under the tree, since Septoria overwinters on that litter.
• Birch aphids shower sticky honeydew onto whatever sits below, so avoid planting over a terrace, bench or parking spot.
• Bracket fungi on a trunk usually signal that wood decay has begun somewhere in the tree, though some species colonise only dead stubs, bark or heartwood, so the extent of damage varies.

Learn more about birch

Birch is known for its smooth, shiny white bark, its small leaves that are colored with fresh green in spring and bright yellow in fall.

Usually, it is planted in clusters of 2 to 3 specimens so that they can bounce light off each other, and to more quickly reach a sizeable impact (birch reaches its mature size quite quickly).

Birch is considered a pioneer plant. On vacant land, birch seeds and trees are often the first to germinate and cover the area. After a generation, slower-growing trees like beech or oak take over. Forests often spread with birch on the outskirts.

Known varieties of birch

White European birch or Betula pubescens. Vigorous slender tree. Often planted in clusters of 3 or 4. Its height is most often 30 to 50 feet (10 to 15 meters) but it can reach 85 feet (25 m).

Warty birch or Betula pendula, syn. B. verrucosa, can reach heights of 85 feet (25 m) with long catkins. It is quite common in parks and gardens.

Column birch or Betula pendula ‘Fastigiata’ which has a distinctive columnar bearing that makes it very suitable to cutting off a view. It’s possible to keep it from growing too tall by pruning the top off, usually to a height of 26/32 feet (8/10 m).

Weeping birch (Betula pendula ‘Tristis’) is a vigorous birch. Its crown can reach up to 40 feet (12 m) whereas its secondary branches droop back down.

Purple birch (Betula pendula ‘Purpurea’): Generally planted in groups of 3. It is smaller than the others, reaching only 16 to 20 feet (5 to 6 m). Its dark purple leaves in spring that turn red in fall will enchant you.

Himalayan birch (Betula utilis): Native to Asia, it is perfectly suited to harsh climates and higher altitudes.

Its average height is 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m).

Which birch to choose

The birches described above differ mainly in eventual size and in habit, which is what decides whether a tree suits a large park or a small garden. Use the table to match a birch to the space you have.

In a small garden, keep to the purple or column forms, and prune without delay.