Determining the flowering time of the birch can be just as interesting for nature enthusiasts as it is for gardeners and those who are allergic to pollen. Once a year, the tree, known as an extremely hardy survivor, releases large quantities of pollen into the wind to ensure its reproduction. Here you can find out everything about the birch tree in its heyday.
Birch trees bloom in early spring
When does the birch bloom
The flowering period of the birch takes place between the months of March and May. Those who are allergic to birch pollen often notice the first symptoms before this classic season. Since the male flowers, in which the pollen ripens, are already formed in the autumn of the previous year and then dormant over the winter, the smallest particles of pollen can already be found near the trees. In addition, the increasingly mild winters and early sunny and warm spring days invite the light-hungry birch trees to bloom prematurely.
What happens in the flowering period
The beginning of a birch's flowering season is hard to miss: the distinctive bright yellow male catkins appear on the older long shoots, while inconspicuous pale green-yellow female catkins can be seen on the short young shoots. The male flowers, which are about ten centimeters long, release large amounts of pollen into the wind. In their reproduction, birches are geared exclusively to wind and, rarely, cross-pollination.
For this reason, the flowering of the birch is characterized by another, often unwelcome, phenomenon: yellow pollen settles on windows, balconies or cars. If you want to plant a young tree in your garden yourself, you should think carefully about the location of the birch. Give the tree enough space and, if possible, greater distance to:
- own living area including terrace and balcony
- neighboring property
- other plants