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- Q.Silver Birch Pruning/topping - I have 2 large silver birch trees near my barn and 5 years ago a couple of farmer friends cut ...
- Q.River Birch - I recently cut down a River Birch that was starting to cause damage to my home. There's one root ...
- Q.Trimming Birch Tree - Itrimed my birch to late .and is lossing lots of sap
- Q.Silver Birch Tree - I have just bought a cottage and there is a silver birch tree in the front of the house. It ...
- Q.Newly Planted Birch Trees - 3 months ago a gardener planted 3 small birch trees in my front yard; the woody part of the tree ...
- Q.Storage Shed To Build Near Very Mature Paper Birch Tree - I want to build a storage shed with a 4 inch thick re-enforced cement floor near a very Mature paper ...
- Q.My Silver Birch Tree - I planted this about 13 years ago so about 30 ft now I suppose. This year it's driving me mad ...
Asked by
squeezy on
February 6, 2017
Center FranceQ.Silver Birch pruning/topping
I have 2 large silver birch trees near my barn and 5 years ago a couple of farmer friends cut the tops off, as they were higher than the barn and my wife was worried about them falling in heavy winds. Now they have grown back very tall again and I was wondering how to trim them this time. Should I cut each large vertical branch just above where the last cut was or is there a better way? Regards, Dave
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
February 7, 2017A.Unfortunately once a tree has been topped, it is difficult to improve the shape. Topping results in a weakened tree and can even accelerate the growth.
An Arborist may be able to help you with correcting prune cuts.
If the trees are in close proximity and the danger is that they could cause damage to your barn, this may be time to remove the trees.
Topped trees are susceptible to disease and can become weakened.
The articles below have more information.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-topping-information.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/birch/cutting-back-birch-trees.htmWas this answer useful?00
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- Asked by
pete_in_annapolis on
April 14, 2017
Annapolis, MDQ.River Birch
I recently cut down a River Birch that was starting to cause damage to my home. There's one root that is roughly 6 inches in diameter that is still sucking up huge amounts of water and depositing it in my new mulch bed. The ground is so wet from the root, that my foot sunk six inches into the mud. What do I need to do to kill off this root and prevent it from siphoning water away from my other plans?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
April 17, 2017A.There should be no reason that a River Birch tree or branch be sucking up water and leaving your soil saturated.
I would suggest having a qualified inspector determine the reason for high water levels on your property.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Ted Bosch on
April 24, 2017
Martensville SaskQ.trimming birch tree
Itrimed my birch to late .and is lossing lots of sap
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
April 30, 2017A.Birch Tree should be pruned in late summer.
Make sure you watch for signs of pest with the weeping fresh wounds.
Do not cover them, but I might suggest spraying the cuts with Neem Oil to reduce the risk of disease or pests.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/birch/cutting-back-birch-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Julietmorris71 on
May 23, 2017
KentQ.Silver birch tree
I have just bought a cottage and there is a silver birch tree in the front of the house. It is within 3 feet of the front of the house and i wanted to ask if this is appropriate for foundations etc.? I am not sure if the roots will be going under the house as it is so close.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
May 25, 2017A.The tree’s aggressive roots seek water, prying open cracks or joints in sewer or irrigation systems. Birch roots, along with willow and poplar, are among the most aggressive -- and destructive -- tree roots.
You may want to seek advise from a qualified Arborist.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 12, 2017Q.newly planted birch trees
3 months ago a gardener planted 3 small birch trees in my front yard; the woody part of the tree looks healthy, but some of the leaves are brown and some are green. Should I just cut away the brown? Did the trees go into "shock"? I live in Ventura,CA (about 1 mile from the coast) and temps here average between 55-80 degrees basically year round. I see many beautiful birches in my neighborhood so I think this is a good tree for this area-pretty much everything grows here-but these brown leaves have me concerned. Should I treat the soil, and if so, with what? Thanks!
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 13, 2017A.Watering a newly planted tree is crucial to the tree setting roots and becoming established.
A tree will shut down energy to it's leaves first to survive. Some browning of leaves is likely to happen in a newly planted tree.
You can certainly trim away any dead leaves to clean up the tree.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/watering-newly-planted-tree.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 15, 2017Q.Storage Shed to Build near Very Mature Paper Birch Tree
I want to build a storage shed with a 4 inch thick re-enforced cement floor near a very Mature paper Birch tree. Yes, I do see a near surface tree root. It is about 2 inches in diameter. I was thinking of making sure the soil is built up and packed down and then have the cement poured over this. Is this ok? If so, how close to the base of the Birch trunk can I get? I've read a lot that this is not a good idea near young birch trees. Our tree is very mature - maybe 40 years or very likely older than that.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 16, 2017A.Tree roots and concrete are just never a good match! Roots will win in nearly every case and your expensive concrete will not.
It's best to either move the shed or move the tree. In most cases a new tree is much cheaper then the concrete.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/problem-tree-roots.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
livlivesey on
July 18, 2017
London U.KQ.my silver birch tree
I planted this about 13 years ago so about 30 ft now I suppose. This year it's driving me mad by dropping MILLIONS of seeds which I've never noticed before. Is this because it's not been so prolific before or because it's only just started producing them ? There's lots of catkins which the parakeets like to eat but I can't do anything about that !!!! Am wondering if it's only this year that catkins have started being produced ?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 20, 2017A.This is just part of the normal growing process for the tree. Some years may have more seeds then others.
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