- Birch as a flat root - that means the root type
- Impact on garden planning
- Danger of falling with shallow roots
Birch trees are extremely frugal trees. They only value a lot of light and sufficient water. If you want to enrich your property with a picturesque specimen of the genus Betula, you don't have to consider many factors - these are all the more strict. This also includes the root type, because the birch is a shallow root. You can find out what consequences this has for cultivation here.
Birch trees have very shallow roots and are therefore often a tripping hazard
Birch as a flat root - that means the root type
If you like gardening, you will mainly deal with three types of roots, namely:
- deep rooter
- heart root
- shallow roots
Birch trees come in more than 40 species, but they all belong to the flat-rooted species. These absorb their nutrients mainly through the surface water that seeps into the ground. The roots form a ring around the birch. Therefore, they enter into vigorous competition with all nearby plants, which also feed on a shallow root system.
Impact on garden planning
If you plant a birch in the garden, you should definitely pay attention to its root type. Because this knowledge shows what the location must be like. The most important thing is that you should plan sufficient distance to existing growth. Alternatively, there is the possibility of placing birch trees exclusively in an environment of deep-rooting plants. These two types can thrive in peaceful coexistence without competition.
Danger of falling with shallow roots
Unlike deep-rooters, birches are particularly endangered by wind and storms because they are shallow-rooted. It is therefore important to secure young specimens with a stake if necessary. Overall, the environment should be prepared for the risk of falling, which is best achieved with the help of well thought-out planning before you plant the birch. So, if possible, plant your new birch away from parking lots, playgrounds, power lines, and areas where people or objects could be injured if the tree falls.
But don't worry: the soil conditions would have to be relatively poor for the roots to be unable to gain a foothold. If the birch lives in a suitable location, it is possible for it to develop a good root system even as a shallow root.
You can also prevent the dreaded wind damage caused by flat-rooted plants by not planting the trees too close together. It is easy to see that the more the tree can spread, the more stability it will bring.