Thanks to its decorative character, the birch is a real adornment for every garden. In addition, there are various advantages as a useful tree, from the healing leaf extracts to the versatile wood. The trees are not difficult to cultivate: with a little basic knowledge, you can easily plant a birch. Here you will find a practical step-by-step guide.

The birch likes moist locations

Suitable location for your birch

Birch trees are generally considered to be relatively undemanding. They can get by with small amounts of water, although they also thrive better with adequate watering. Extremely hardy with a frost resistance of up to -40 degrees Celsius, they also tolerate low-light locations, but are still considered one of the most light-needing species of all.

The energetic flat roots of the trees, which reach up to 30 meters in height, grow very expansively. In dry soils in particular, they search intensively for water, with the roots of other plants usually losing out. Two things follow from this: First, you should give your birch enough space. Slightly moist soils are also preferred. Gritty, peaty or sandy loam and clay soils with a slightly acidic and neutral pH are optimal.

Planting birch - this is how it works

Like all deciduous trees, the birch is best integrated into the garden as a young plant. Specimens of various birch species can usually be purchased in containers, planters or even bare-rooted in every tree nursery. Follow the instructions below step by step when planting your birch:

  1. Choose a suitable date: If the birch seedling is well rooted in the ball, you can basically plant it all year round. However, it is best to wait until autumn to do so. In the spring, the tree is already using a lot of energy to sprout leaves and flower soon. Rooting in the meantime would be too much at once. In autumn, on the other hand, the young birch can invest all of its energy in the formation of strong roots.
  2. Prepare the soil: At the chosen location, dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball of your birch tree. In addition, a top floor thickness of at least 61 centimeters must be guaranteed. Loosen up the excavated soil and add compost to fertilize. For optimal drainage, place a layer of gravel or sand in the bottom of the planting hole.
  3. Preparing the young tree: During your preparation of the soil, place the plant ball in a container full of water so that the roots can intensively soak. Only take the young birch out of the water when no more air bubbles rise.
  4. Plant the birch: Then carefully insert the young tree into the hole. Then fill up with the excavation and press down well. It is important that the soil penetrates into the root areas. Finally, water the tree well.
  5. Provide growth support: If necessary, you can embed a small support post in the ground. However, this should be done before the tree moves into its new home, so as not to damage the roots. Simply tie the young birch to the post with a rope and give it more support in the first year.

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Trees