River birches are not particularly long-lived trees, however. However, this massive height contributes to the problems these trees can cause. Also Know, where should I plant a river birch tree? River birch grows best in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Birches favor a slightly acidic environment (soil pH below 7). Avoid planting them in shallow soil in USDA zones 8b and 9a, so they can establish deep root systems to survive the heat. Japanese maples come in a variety of types. Have a mature river birch that was planted approximately 4 feet from the corner of the house. If you're even thinking of planting any of these trees, call me to chat about your landscape design. In addition to considering the potential risks of planting a tree close to your home, you’ll also want to think about the aesthetic of the trees that you are planting. Head back here next week to find out the four best trees to plant! Two cultivars have improved- pest and disease-resistance -- “Heritage” and a newer, smaller cultivar with a denser canopy and more decorative bark, “Duraheat,” also known as “BNMTF.”. They get huge. These roots will probably not crack or break concrete, but can easily find tiny cracks and hasten the process. Leaves on shady, wet paths can also cause injury to pedestrians if not frequently removed. Copyright 2020 FindAnyAnswer All rights reserved. True to its name, river birch needs a riparian home or watering to thrive. How far should a tree be from your house? Plan in advance when transplanting a birch tree from the wild. According to Cox and Leslie in Texas Trees: A Friendly Guide, the river birch is ornamental, good for erosion control, provides abundant tiny seeds appreciated by wildlife (do you have gutters, and do you have squirrels?) Wide networks of roots near the surface of the soil extend beyond the drip line -- the outside perimeter of the tree’s crown. See more ideas about river birch, river birch trees, outdoor gardens. Do silver birch tree roots cause problems? Does Hermione die in Harry Potter and the cursed child? Reply Mark May 6, 2011 at 8:20 am. By sticking with male gingko tree selections like ‘Autumn Gold,’ ‘Fairmount,’ and ‘Saratoga,’ you can ensure a fruit- … Step 2 Plant young birches in clumps 6 to 10 feet apart to form a stunning grove or stand. Whether your foundation will ever develop a crack is anyone's guess. If you don’t, planting a river birch tree or two in your yard will … Ben, I want to plant Clumping River birch along a long drive, I purchased 60, 3 ft trees from a wholesale nursery. Understanding the factors involved in tree damage to buildings, including soil type and depth of foundations, will help both tree and house owners determine what action to take and when to get … Most birches, including river birches, require extra moisture in dry climates. Trees with extensive root systems can damage pool walls or pool plumbing (see the comments section). This is a fast-growing tree that averages about 36 inches of growth per year. What's the difference between Koolaburra by UGG and UGG? When and if it becomes a problem, then cut it down right away and plant another one five or ten feet away from your home. Four feet from a building is too close for any large woody plant. The tree will grow in a more open shape if planted in the shade. http://www.eastpenngardens.com/Bulk/RiverBirch.html Where to Plant A River Birch Tree.... call us at 215 651 8329 We deliver and plant. With their beautiful, papery bark and ghostly coloration, birch trees naturally become the center of attention in a landscape. but on the downside is relatively short lived. Plant a river birch tree in spring or fall when the soil is moist and the temperatures are cool. River birch grows best in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Planting … River birch – Concrete. Only a construction engineer can answer the building questions. ... 15 feet should be fine. Before deciding where to plant your river birch, pick a tree suited to a warm, dry Mediterranean climate. Choose a planting site that receives full to partial sun, preferably in the morning hours. A retired municipal judgem Reynolds holds a degree in communications from Northern Illinois University. What is eating the leaves on my birch tree? If you then wanted to, you could replace it with another birch (a multi-stemmed kind would be better) or a smaller tree, planted further away from the house to give you the privacy you want. That said, always make sure they are planted at least 10 feet from the house. 8-10' should be fine. River Birch can be problematic in later life because of their drooping habit and tendency to snap limbs. Bloodgood Japanese Maple. The drooping branches can be messy, so don't plant them close to high-traffic areas unless you want to clean up after the trees and prune them regularly. http://www.eastpenngardens.com/Bulk/RiverBirch.html Where to Plant A River Birch Tree.... call us at 215 651 8329 We deliver and plant. With some frequency I encounter homeowners concerned because a mature tree on their property was planted quite close to the house (usually by a previous owner). Birch can thrive in a wide range of soil types, really only objecting to extremely wet or dry conditions, says Paul Bartlett of Stone Lane Gardens, … Sounds silly now, but, if you are going to live there for a long time, it makes sense. Sometimes called red birch, the river birch (Betula nigra) is a deciduous tree species known for its ovate leaves and graceful, upright growth habit. Still, the tree will try to recover by sending out a lot of new growth near those locations and you will be back to where you … Advance planning means that you can "prune" the roots of the tree a year in advance so that you'll have a smaller root ball that is easier to move. Her six children and stepchildren served as subjects of editorials during her tenure as a local newspaper editor. An avid perennial gardener and old house owner, Laura Reynolds has had careers in teaching and juvenile justice. Container soil tends to dry out quicker than the soil in your garden. 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. How much does it cost to play a round of golf at Augusta National? In addition, many species are susceptible to pests, such as the emerald birch borer, which can destroy a tree. Before deciding where to plant your river birch, pick a tree suited to a warm, dry Mediterranean climate. Western river birch (Betula occidentalis) can be somewhat smaller than standard river birch (Betula nigra) but both get to be decent sized trees even in Utah - 20-30' or more. Above: See more in Garden Visit: A Galvanizing Garden in Sag Harbor, NY.. How to Sow River Birch Seed. The Ash is approx 12foot from the house. To root-prune your birch tree, drive a shovel into the ground around the tree so that the roots are cut. 6. This tree may be great for providing shade, but its rapid growth can lead to brittle wood which can break easily during storms. Some small fruit trees and ornamental trees are generally safe as well. Having said that, below you will find 21 of the worst trees to plant. It restricts the roots on one side, and there are risks to the building. Plant a silver birch. Click to see full answer Moreover, how far should I plant a river birch from my house? But many property owners are weary of planting new River Birch trees near their house in fear that the roots might grow excessively and damage the underground plumbing, and ultimately, the foundation. Photograph by Cara Greenberg for Gardenista. I have had borers get into one of the trunks of my older tree, which is a Heritage River Birch. Get our Heritage ® River Birch for yourself today! There are other species of birch available, too. Birch trees are chosen for gardens because they display colorful, paper-like or shredding bark and tend to have a bright yellow fall leaf color. Because mature river birch crowns may measure up to 60 feet across, and roots can lift pavement and infiltrate basement foundations, so expecting your birch to stay healthy near a property fence without upending parts of the fence might be wishful thinking. When planting another river birch consider the eventual height—50 to 90 feet— and width—40 to 60 feet— of the tree and plant accordingly. Have a mature river birch that was planted approximately 4 feet from the corner of the house. River birches (Betula nigra) are romantic trees, conjuring up visions of mountain streams. You definitely don’t want to plant a tree in your yard that could easily fall on your or your house. Birches, including river birch, can be messy -- their male flowers are long, drooping catkins that drop through late spring and early summer. Birch trees can make a decorative addition to your home landscape, but they do require some special attention. In most cases, they really don’t know what they are talking about. On plant Silver birch and ash 5 Oct, 2009; Featured on: trees The tree will grow in a more open shape if planted in the shade. Only a construction engineer can answer the building questions. It’s not just the fence that might cause problems. As the name implies, river birches prefer moist soil. If a neighbor’s little oak tree grows up to shade your birch, the birch roots may have the shade they crave, but its crown will lose the sunlight they need. Home » Gardening Q and A » River birch – Concrete. Avoid planting them in shallow soil in USDA zones 8b and 9a, so they can establish deep root systems to survive the heat. They are a hardy, easy-care choice—as long as you don’t plant female gingko trees, which drop messy fruit that is so smelly, it will make your time outside unbearable. Like; Save; katob Z6ish, NE Pa. 6 years ago . JoeX Posts: 1,366 August 2018 The Ash is approx 12foot from the house. Use your pruning saw to cut a notch in the trunk about 4 to 6 inches above the lateral branch. Keep birches away from power lines that may traverse fenced property lines. There are other species of birch available, too. I would not plant it right next to the house. These conditions are difficult to maintain close to homes. Even if the fence is within your property -- say along a patio -- your birch should stay at a distance. How do you load a master mechanic staple gun? If you have a lot of deer in your area, they don’t care for the Fastigiata spruce and will tend toward tastier trees. River birch occupies large eastern north-south ranges in North America from Minnesota to Florida. That's not to say you can't enjoy decades of this tree's beauty, but you may want to relocate it to a place where danger of damage to your home is negated should some limbs snap.--David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7) The bark has a great texture, and color in the fall and winter. (If you forget, why not follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn). Trees with lots of ‘leaf litter’, excessive pollen, berries or budding debris can cause extra work for you and your pool filter.. 4.) Prune birches between mid-August and mid-April. The plants we mentioned above are usually a better option for landscaping near the tank. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) has stunning white bark, while river birch (Betula nigra) has bark that is reddish black, and the foliage of both turns a vibrant golden yellow in the fall. Surround the tree with heavy mulch to help keep the roots wet and cool. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- How to Plant a River Birch Tree. Are there different types of river birch trees? This can cause the ground-level and basement walls to bow and weaken. They usually grow in clumps of three or more trunks and have the most wonderful, unusual bark. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) has stunning white bark, while river birch (Betula nigra) has bark that is reddish black, and the foliage of both turns a vibrant golden yellow in the fall. We have a home with 2 large river birch trees planted next to the house. Four feet from a building is too close for any large woody plant. River birch – Concrete . Red Leaf Japanese Maple. Most of all, trees next to foundations impact your home with intense pressure on the foundation of the house. If you have water on your property, consider lining it with river birch trees. Cottonwood Tree Birch trees can make a decorative addition to your home landscape, but they do require some special attention. Third, white birches may not perform very well outdoors in zone 7, they prefer mild summer temperatures and may struggle during extended hot periods. http://www.seedlingsrus.com/Location.html Call us at 215 651 8329 for Birch Trees. How close to a house can you plant a silver birch tree? I want to clump them in pots and grow them to size before planting next year, spot not ready for them yet. I know you may think that having a tree next to the house to shade it lowers your cooling costs. Other concerns are the roof and the house itself being at risk during storms. It just looks better 10-20 feet from your house then it does 30-40. Q: We are considering planting a river birch tree seven feet from a driveway. Classic, Fast-Growing Ornamental Tree Why Heritage® River Birch Trees? We were told by an inspector that we have an underground stream running under the yard that would attract tree roots instead. But growing plants in containers gives you more flexibility because you can change the design of your patio garden whenever the whim strikes. River birch needs cool, moist soil. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Ground cover plants are perfect for planting beneath birch trees because they can tolerate the shade produced by the tree. Please consider moving the trees farther from your house. The other reason to plant a tree close to your house is to help keep it cool in the summer. It's too tall and much too close to the house. (image via handyandynursery.com) 2. These trees even come in weeping or upright varieties. Like other birches, a river birch's root system is wide and spreading, but not powerful enough to wreak havoc on your foundation. How Close to a Wooden Fence Can You Plant Cedar Trees? Plant a silver birch to make your garden look stunning in the winter months ... always make sure they are planted at least 10 feet from the house. This can help you save on your air conditioning costs. The following table can be used to determining the minimum distance your trees should be planted from your house or other structure. Aphids snack on birches and drop their sticky droppings, called honeydew, as they munch new leaves and they can make a mess on a brick or cedar fence -- in addition to adjoining lawn or patio furniture and play sets. But in some cases, subsidence and structural damage can be linked to tree roots. Once the birch tree's leaves return in spring and summer, a few strategically placed flowering shrubs can bring flowers and brightness back to the area around the tree. Pachysandra, or Japanese spurge, is another type of ground cover, Aphids are very common insect pests that will swarm over and devour the. Still, you don’t want the branches to rub against the house or grow over the roof, so you’d to best to plant it at least 15 feet from the building. Silver birches are among the best trees for small gardens since they never produce too dense a canopy and their root systems are unlikely to shift foundations. Better to plant your birch away from that boundary -- unless your neighbor agrees to water and clean up after your tree. Also, be sure to select a disease-resistant variety such as ‘Dura-Heat’ or ‘Heritage’. This species can grow anywhere from 40 to 50 feet into the air. You can instantly recognize a river birch. Secondly, it should not be planted near a paver or concrete walk location as birch do have invasive surface roots and may cause problems with heaving. Others have weak wood or are known to attract various diseases and pests. Any suggestions on how to top it without ma… Get the tree that can grow almost anywhere while providing amazing shade and benefits. This habit might not please neighbors. If you have water on your property, consider lining it with river birch trees. Trees, shrubs and other plant life can enhance the design of any landscape, but if you have a septic system, it pays to be very careful when planting anything. They need a large root system to support this above-ground growth. Because of its affinity for wet, heavy soil, planting a river birch tree can fill in spaces where nothing else seems to grow. Tree roots are programmed to follow water. Other concerns are the roof and the house itself being at risk during storms. Because birch are shallow-rooted, they prefer a location where the soil remains cool and moist while exposing the canopy to ample sunlight (about 6 hours daily). Were told by an inspector that we have an underground stream running the! 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