There may be various reasons why you want to die a birch - from not enough space on the property to lack of light or allergies. First of all, it is still advisable to consider peaceful coexistence with the picturesque tree. Otherwise, you can get rid of the tree with the so-called ringing in a biological way.

For ringing, the bark is first removed

Remove birch - yes or no?

Birch trees are among the true survivors among the trees. Even in poor conditions, they grow and thrive. That is why it is not so easy to let the birch die off. In addition, trees in Germany are generally protected. In order not to get in conflict with the law with your project, you should carefully examine the tree protection statutes for your region.

Kill birch trees by ringing

Ringing is a traditional forestry method that allows you to reliably remove unwanted birch trees. You cut a strip about ten centimeters wide from the bark and the underlying cambium wood of the trunk. This interrupts the flow of sap and thus the supply of nutrients: the tree gradually dies. The process does not require any chemical aids - and of course without felling the birch. The disadvantage is that it takes some time. In the meantime, it is important to keep your distance, as the individual dying branches gradually fall from the tree.

Instructions for ringing

  1. You can do the ringing alone. However, since the entire procedure is quite time-consuming and laborious, the help of one or more strong people is recommended.
  2. Peel off a strip of bark five to ten centimeters wide around the lower trunk area. A drawknife is the most appropriate tool for this step.
  3. Unruly, inwardly curved pieces of bark are best removed with a ripping hook or grafting knife.
  4. Once the bark is completely removed, carefully scrape out the cambium underneath - again around the trunk. A wire brush can be used for this.

Important instructions

It is best to carry out ringing in midsummer. During this period, the birch is exhausted from flowering and there are fewer nutrients in the upper parts of the plant. Be sure to remove only the bark and cambium. If the wood lying under the cambium is damaged, a rotting process occurs. This can turn the dying tree into an all-encompassing source of danger.

Category:

Trees