How tall can a river birch tree get?
River birch can grow 50 to 90 feet tall but is often seen 40 to 50 feet (Fig. It normally grows with a central leader and small-diameter, dark-colored lateral branches. It has a narrow, oval to pyramidal crown when young, spreading wider with age as several branches become dominant. It’s best to plant River Birch at least 15-20 feet away from your house. Its roots are not typically invasive, but they can spread wide in search of moisture. Planting too close to structures can lead to foundation or drainage issues, especially in compacted soils.Although river birch grows well in normal and dry soils, it thrives in wet environments. If there is a poorly drained, low lying area of the yard where other shade trees have suffered, that is the perfect spot to plant a river birch.Pruning: Your river birch tree generally won’t require much pruning. However it’s always a good idea to remove any dead or diseased branches. You can also prune to shape the tree in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.Size at Maturity – A river birch will grow to a height of 40 to 70 feet and a spread of 40 to 60 feet at maturity. Lifespan – Birches can be short-lived trees that typically live between 75 to 100 years. But it is not uncommon for birch trees (the white-barked varieties) to die before reaching 20 years.The White Birch tree is characterized by its beautiful white bark (when mature) and drooping branches, whereas the River Birch tree has a brownish-red exfoliating bark and pyramidal to rounded crown. These characteristic bark qualities provide interest in the landscape throughout all four seasons.
How long does it take to grow a river birch tree?
The growth rate of river birch is typically 1. This species is restricted to low and medium elevations, and is most common along streams. River birch is at home on somewhat poorly drained to well drained soils making it an easy choice for riparian buffers throughout the range of the species. It’s easy to understand why the Heritage® River Birch is such a popular tree. For starters, it’s resistant to common diseases, grows up to 2 to 3 feet each year, and adapts to a variety of soil types. Plus, it’s an elegant source of shade, with unique peeling bark that stands out in your landscape.It’s best to plant River Birch at least 15-20 feet away from your house. Its roots are not typically invasive, but they can spread wide in search of moisture. Planting too close to structures can lead to foundation or drainage issues, especially in compacted soils.They are well suited to small gardens or when a group of trees is desired in larger gardens. Birch trees let the sunlight through with their airy foliage and many have gorgeous bark, catkins and autumn colour.River birch should be planted in full sun in moist soils. It does well on clay as that type of soil retains moisture well. Although it is prefers wet soils this species is only moderately resistant to flooding but tolerates dry summers once established. Trees planted on moist soils live longer than those on dry sites.
How to keep river birch small?
River Birch Tree Pruning A river birch tree can grow between 40 and 70 feet tall and can grow up to 13 to 24 inches per year. Annual pruning promotes healthy and attractive growth. The best times to prune river birch are during late spring, late fall and winter. For homeowners who aspire to maintain their landscape’s health and visual appeal, knowing the right time to prune trees is helpful. Late fall to early winter marks the ideal time to prune river birch trees for several reasons, such as minimizing sap flow and preventing infestations that can lead to diseases.
Is river birch a hard tree?
While river birch wood is hard, strong, and close-grained, it is too knotted to be used as lumber, and is instead used primarily for inexpensive furniture, toys, artificial limbs, and occasionally veneer. Disadvantages of Using Birch Birch wood can curl during the drying process if pressure is not properly and evenly applied. Birch wood is vulnerable to decay, fungal staining, and insect invasion.