Betula Pendula | Bare Root

A potted bare root, single-stemmed silver birch tree. Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: April Hardiness: fully hardy Diamond-shaped, bright green leaves hang from graceful, pendent branches. It is a relatively fast-growing tree with white, peeling bark that becomes marked with black, rugged cracks as it gets older. In spring, yellow-brown male catkins appear and in late autumn the foliage turns yellow before falling. It is one of the most widely used birches, grown for its narrow, conical shape and ability to grow in almost all soils and situations. This bare-root, single-stemmed Betula is potted up to keep hydrated during its journey to you, so it’s normal for the potting compost to fall away from the roots during removal from the pot. This can be mixed with some well-rotted garden compost and incorporated into the planting hole or used as backfill. Garden care: The potted bare root tree should be planted at the same depth as the level of the compost in the pot. An easy way to check if the depth is correct is to stand the tree into the empty hole and then lay a bamboo cane across the outermost edges – the soil mark on the stem should then be level with the bamboo cane. When the depth is right (and while making sure the tree is kept upright), gently backfill around the roots using the the loose soil/compost, mix, gently firming it down around the roots, before giving the plant a really good water. A tree stake can be used if it’s planted in an exposed position. Finally, the application of a thick (2″) layer of mulch/compost will not only ensure the tree gets off to a good start, but it will also help suppress weeds, and seal in moisture for the growing season ahead. If it’s not possible to plant it out immediately, you can keep your tree somewhere sheltered outdoors, taking care that it doesn’t topple over. It’s worth keeping in mind that bare root plants are often slower to ‘get going’ in their first spring after planting, but once established, birches require little maintenance. Once established, they require little pruning, but you may want to remove any diseased or crossing branches if they appear. It is essential that any pruning work is carried out between late summer and mid-winter as the sap will ‘bleed’ heavily at other times.