The river birch tree(Betula nigra ) is a temperate to tight - growing deciduous tree that thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture works hardiness zones 4 through 9 . River birch can grow to 80 feet tall , but are most commonly between 40 and 50 feet tall . This is a blue - maintenance Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that is highly tolerant to the diseases and pests found in other birch motley . It likes moist soil and has evolved to go flooding , so caution must be direct to ensure that it receives adequate water , especially in fond clime .
Step 1
irrigate the river birch tree once a week in the spring and summertime when the atmospheric condition is juiceless . Water the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree slowly and deeply , providing 8 to 18 inches of water over two or three hr with a trickling hosepipe . The river birch rod like moist soil , and should find between 30 and 40 gallons of water a calendar month , include rain . water supply the tree less in the drop and during winter dormancy .
Step 2
circulate a 2- to 4 - inch layer of fresh constitutional mulch around the tree every springtime to improve the soil , protect the tree ’s shallow roots , reduce rivalry from weed and avail the soil retain moisture . Extend the mulch for a minimum 3 - understructure radius around unseasoned Tree and a 6 - foot wheel spoke around mature tree . Do not allow the mulch to relate the trunk of the tree .
Step 3
Feed your river birch tree tree with a slow - liberation plant food ahead of time in the springtime only if a territory test point a deficiency . If a soil insufficiency is found , correct the problem by spread a granular plant food evenly over the tree diagram ’s entire root zone . Fertilizer applications should by and large not overstep 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per foot of tree height .
Step 4
Prune your tree if call for during the early portion of its winter quiescence . River birch tree tree diagram require only a light crop to remove stagnant and diseased branches , and to assert the desired shape . Never prune away more than 25 percentage of a river birch ’s canopy . Some birches produce multiple trunks and will need to be pruned to a single trunk early in life if desired .
Tip
Check the moisture floor of the land around your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree by grab a smattering of dirt and forge it into a ball . If the grime crumbles and refuses to hold the shape , it is clip to water the tree .
The river birch is very dirt ball and disease resistant , and likely will not arise health problems with proper care . If a problem does pass off , contact your local garden center or extension office for helper name and treat the issue .
birch rod Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree do best in a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5 , but can handle more alkaline filth . If your soil test usher a more acidic territory , you’re able to raise the pH by spreading wood ash tree over the grime .
