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- Q.Silver Birch Tree - How far should I plant a silver birch from my house to ensure that there will be no damage to ...
- Q.Neem Oil Drench For White Birch Trees - Can you please provide specific information regarding neem oil drench for white weeping birch trees? Oil to water ratio, ...
- Q.Birch Trees - Hello Could you please advise me. I have the larger tree in the photograph and it's a beautiful tree. Wanting one the ...
- Q.Pruning A Birch Tree - I have a small (center trunk about 5 feet high) white bark birch tree in my front yard garden. It has ...
- Q.River Birch Storm Damage Cut - Hi: My river Birch was just damaged in a snowstorm in Massachusetts. I want to cut it at the top where ...
- Q.Canoe Birch Tree - We have a 22 year old canoe birch tree in our south facing yard. It is as tall as ...
- Q.Invasive Tree Roots - We have a silver birch tree near my raised bed. I have lined the bed with a good quality weed ...
Asked by
mitchell39 on
February 2, 2018
hampshireQ.silver birch tree
How far should I plant a silver birch from my house to ensure that there will be no damage to my property from the roots as the tree matures ?
Answered by
BushDoctor on
February 2, 2018
Certified ExpertA.I would say about 20 feet, although with the birch can probably get a little closer with no issue. Tree roots can cause extensive damage, and its good to have caution when planting near anything of value that could get destroyed.
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
February 13, 2018Q.Neem oil drench for white birch trees
Can you please provide specific information regarding neem oil drench for white weeping birch trees? Oil to water ratio, quantity of solution to apply, when to apply to soil and any other relevant information. The trees are growing in coastal central California. Thank you!
- Answered by
MichiganDot on
February 13, 2018A.Those look like harlequin ladybird larvae and they do not cause leaf damage. They are more likely there to eat some other pest that is present such as aphids. You need a positive ID on what is going on. Correct treatment depends on accurate diagnosis.
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Anonymous on
February 26, 2018Q.Birch trees
Hello Could you please advise me. I have the larger tree in the photograph and it's a beautiful tree. Wanting one the same I sent a picture to a very large tree supply company and they said they could supply the same. I collected the second tree about three years ago and planted it but it looks nothing like my original. Although the branches droop it just looks too tall. Do I cut the middle out or is it not the same tree. Appoligise about the quality of the pictures. Regards Ken Booth
- Answered by
MichiganDot on
February 27, 2018A.By nature, most birches are shaped like a pyramid, seen in the second picture. If a tree's central leader - the straight branch right to the top- is damaged or removed, unusual shape results as in the first picture, perhaps. I can't tell because the first picture is fuzzy but there are two species of birch that are pendulous or weeping, Betula pendula and Betula ermanii. Perhaps the first picture is one of those. Go to google images for a look.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
March 7, 2018Q.Pruning a Birch Tree
I have a small (center trunk about 5 feet high) white bark birch tree in my front yard garden. It has been there for over 12 years, however, it has a frail, sparsely droopy leaf appearance. We have never pruned the tree because our gardener has said that it is not good to prune Birch Trees. My thought is that if we trimmed off the very thin branches (no bark) that emerge from the one inch white bark limbs may make the tree more healthy. Is that correct and also is it o.k. to do that at this time in early March? I have done some research and have read that I could damage the tree if I cut off the very thin branches that emerge from the one inch branches. I also have a white bark Birch Tree in another part of the front yard that is about 18 to 20 feet tall. The thin branches that emerge from the one inch white bark limbs also look frail. The limbs & leaves in the summer droop down.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
March 7, 2018A.Late summer or early fall is the best time to prune your Birch Trees.
This article will help you with your pruning project.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/birch/cutting-back-birch-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
scsfll on
March 13, 2018
Shrewsbury,Ma 01545Q.River Birch Storm Damage Cut
Hi: My river Birch was just damaged in a snowstorm in Massachusetts. I want to cut it at the top where there is a chute of the fairly large branch. There person who we hired to cut it wants to cut it at the base which is one of the three "main" trunks which I will not do. It does not make sense to me. What is the correct answer as well as time to do it? Thanks. Steve
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
March 13, 2018
Certified ExpertA.Ask him why he wants to cut it at the base. If there is an infection which is causing the tree to be weak, then it would be the best idea to get rid of that portion of the tree. If it is to make his job easier, then that is poor business.
If the tree is still healthy, then there is no reason to remove 1/3 of it.
As far as when to do it... Now can be fine if you can catch it before dormancy ends. Otherwise, it is best in winter.
Was this answer useful?00 - Answered by
scsfll on
March 13, 2018A.Thanks!
Tree is extremely healthy. It just took on some weight. Should I apply tree sealer?
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
exhausted on
March 18, 2018
Calgary, AlbertaQ.Canoe birch tree
We have a 22 year old canoe birch tree in our south facing yard. It is as tall as our two storey home. It has developed vertical cracks on both the north and south sides of the tree and the cracks are several feet in length. It has one thick trunk and 5 large limbs. We have also noticed a bore hole near the base of the tree. We have had a few years where some insect has destroyed the leaves but others where it has been fine with an insecticide applied just before the leaves appear. We are wondering if this tree needs to come down before a wind storm helps it fall down as it is close to our home and deck. Any thoughts? Should we wait until spring to see how it is? D.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
March 20, 2018
Certified ExpertA.Yikes! Unfortunately, this tree appears to be starting to form a dangerous situation. From insect damage, and likely disease from the insects, the tree is looking like it might give up and fall. I believe it would be best to take it down if it start to get any worse than that.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
themoseleys2002 on
May 11, 2018
B45 8PEQ.Invasive tree roots
We have a silver birch tree near my raised bed. I have lined the bed with a good quality weed mat at the base of the bed and up all four sides. The tree roots have penetrated the bed and have taken over the soil with fine root clusters which mat the soil together. What is the answer, Do I empty the bed and use another form of weed and root membrane, or can i use a poison on the soil. Thank you Graham
- Answered by
roseman on
May 11, 2018A.I have purchased some of the widest lawn edging metal material I can find and used that to go all around the raised beds. Then using a a shovel like this one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-47-in-Garden-Spade-Shovel-96676933J/202681793 , dig all the way around the raised beds with it to create a nice deep channel all the way around the beds. Place the metal edging as deep as possible in the channel areas, if you can get it deep enough maybe even apply a double layer of the metal edging one on top of the other. Spray down into the trench with some herbicide to help deliver the message to the roots that they are not to go there, then fill in with dirt. This has worked well for me at stopping such activity. You do not have to apply the herbicide if so desired.
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