River Birch Tree Facts. The time to make a long lasting effect on the form and structure of the plant is when the tree is young. River birch is a medium to tall tree, growing 60-80 feet at maturity and about 40 wide. Other than that, the sap that is dripping from the cut branches is harmless. Maple and birch trees are famous for the copious amounts of sap they bleed after being pruned in late winter. The wood is medium to lightweight and quite sturdy. A landscaper (16 years ago) suggested these (and I didn't argue since I love the bark and look) and planted them about 10 feet from our screened porch and patio on a small hillside. For safety reasons it is preferable to leave a certain distance to avoid the possible fall of branches on the roof. They can also grow to over 50 feet tall and like most trees they need TLC. Crossing or crowded branches should be removed. Pruning cuts at this time will ooz sap from the cuts, but this will not harm the tree. A: You can prune any time after the leaves fall and before next February. They provide great shade, but the clean-up of the debris they produce is not worth it. Pruning silver and river birch trees near house. Dark glossy green leaves, yellow in autumn. Pruning is best carried out in late spring, summer, or fall to avoid any heavy sap from flowing from cuts. My birches have borers and there is nothing I can do to save the tree. Q: When should I prune my river birch tree? River birch is best pruned after August 1. Cutting back river birch tree to trunks birch pruning winter care and fertilizing hawks landscape inc birch pruning winter care and fertilizing hawks landscape inc dwarf river birch betula nigra little king pruning river birch home garden information center tree care spring pruning tips cm s outdoor solutions group. Almost done A late August or early September pruning is probably best as the leaves have produced most of the energy for the tree that they will produce and the hottest most stressful part of summer is past. Advertisement. My landscape service pruned my river birch by removing all of the lower branches up to about 6 feet off the ground. River Birch- Pruning. see more; Synonyms Betula rubra. River Birch trees are known for their graceful drooping limbs, foliage, and beautiful peeling bark. It is the hybrids that I purchased and planted that are most susceptible to this type of infestation. Birch trees experience the same pressure build up in their roots when exposed to the same temperatures as Maples, thus, when cut in late winter, they too will “bleed” heavy amounts of sap. In USDA zones 8b and 9a, river birch needs regular irrigation to survive the heat. Paper birch starts life with a brown trunk that whitens as it ages. So, remember to prune Birch the same time as you prune Maples, in June and July. Prune white birch trees by pruning at the right time, choosing the proper branches to prune and cutting carefully. Learn about river birch, also called black birch or red birch, many cultivars of graceful, fast-growing, upright, open, deciduous trees of wetland forests. River birch is hardy, grows rapidly, but tends to be short-lived (30 to 40 years) in many urban settings, possibly due to inadequate water supply. I would not fertilize them. Some have brances from the ground up, two of which have the smaller trees with them. River birch tolerates low soil oxygen, flooding, and clay soil, but needs moist conditions. The vital sap will seep out of the pruning cut and diminish the tree’s overall health. White birches should be pruned before the first day of May or after the first day of August. The following are some useful tips on how to prune a birch tree. Birch – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing. The trunk typically grows about 2 feet in diameter but occasionally will be much wider. If you wait until later, the cuts will needlessly bleed copious amounts of sap. This tree is about 8 - 10 years old and has never been pruned like this before. Two of the most common birch tree species in the Northeast are the River Birch and White Birch. They are not affected. I'm very upset - I feel as though they've ruined my tree. If you really want one, plant it, water it and water it again, don't stop watering, ever. While this is usually not a problem for the tree, it can be disconcerting for the owner when sap drips on outdoor furniture, walkways and people. Branches that rub together should be removed. It is important to know from where in nature your tree's relatives come. These trees have their own charms, however. The same rules apply to Birches for developmental pruning as they do to Maples. A: River birch tree sap is known to cause babies to be born naked and to make your hair turn gray when you’re old. Spring or early summer pruning helps with that, at least from what I’ve observed here. I have tons of natural clump birches that were not planted and they are more resistant to borers. 14 years ago. River birches are fast growing shade trees and they can easily grow 2 to 3 feet per year. River birch in this area responds quite well to reduction as long as the cut size is kept at a size that the tree can seal up fairly quickly. The bog birch is short and shrubby and grows in wetlands. Hi Heather-The sap moves freely in the birch tree during the winter and early spring. I've done quite a bit of research and found that river birch "bleed" when pruned in the late winter/early spring, so it is suggested that pruning be done in late spring/early summer. The White Birch tree is characterized by its beautiful white bark (when mature) and drooping branches, whereas the River Birch tree has a brownish-red exfoliating bark and pyramidal to rounded … A few branches can be removed in summer, if needed, after the trees leaves have reached full size. Established trees do not require regular pruning. The tree most of us think of as the ideal birch is the cut-leaf weeping birch from northern Europe. The river birch is a popular tree for river banks and wet parts of the garden. River birch trimming? Trees typically live 50 -75 years. Is it safe to have the trees trimmed during the late summer or fall. Avoid early spring pruning while the tree's sap is running. Birch Tree Benefits. The best time to trim River Birch is in the late summer - fall. Just wanted to make sure it was ok to snip off 9 or 10 lower-hanging branches, don't want any long-term damage to the tree. Always wear eye protection and follow safety guidelines to prevent injury while pruning the trees. To avoid this, only prune birches when they are in a non-growing dormant phase. The river birch, ideal for planting in damp soil, a fast-growing tree with shaggy light brown to creamy bark, heavily peeling in layers when young. As it gets bigger it uses more water. Some of the information I read mentioned that River Birches will bleed sap profusely if they're cut at the wrong time, seems to me that Spring is the time to avoid pruning. Keep reading to learn more river birch tree facts, such as river birch tree care and effectively using river birch trees … The other is a drought-resistant large shrub called black birch or river birch, which can tolerate serious drought. The birch tree is popular among homeowners due to its beautiful bark, modest size and graceful branches. I have 3 clumps of 3 river birch trees. Leave at least 75 percent of the tree intact when pruning. The river birch tree often is used for landscaping due to its graceful drooping limbs and attractive color. I also admit that I'm not an expert. They love it where they are, but in the last few years they have become HUGE. Birch trees are good-looking plants and great supporters of wildlife. Neither tree requires regular pruning. Height 20m (65ft). Pruning a River Birch Tree . Its attractive bark is especially striking in the winter when the rest of the tree is bare. These adaptable trees are easy to grow and no maintenance once they are established. The lovely birch -- except for one tough native, the black or river birch, all birch are swamp trees. The tree is fast growing, commonly to heights of 60 feet.. This picture from our front yard, shows a cluster of River Birch trees in the background. I have 6 river birches in my back yard ranging from 7 to about 10ft. With a mature height upwards of 60 feet and a rapid growth rate this shade tree is a great option for large homes. 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