Birch Tree (Betula sp.)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe birch<\/strong> is one of the most common deciduous trees in Europe, we also see it on the United States, and suitable for gardens that enjoy a temperate climate. The whitish bark of its trunk and its spectacular autumnal colors, in addition to the little space it needs to develop, make it one of those plants with which you can have a paradise as soon as you walk out the door of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTheir care is also very interesting, both for beginners and for the more advanced. So if you want to know everything about it, you can not miss this special article.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBIRCH TREE FOREST IN NORTHERN ITALY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOrigin and characteristics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The birch, whose scientific name is Betula sp, being Betula pendula<\/em> the most known , is a deciduous tree native to Europe, northern Africa and southwest Asia. It also grows in northern Turkey, the Caucasus and in Canada. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIt is characterized by having a thin and tall trunk, 30 meters, with a pure white bark once adult and brownish when young. <\/strong>The cup is ovate, dense, with the branches upright. The leaves measure about 6cm counting the petiole, and are green that changes to yellow in autumn before falling.<\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\nBlooms at the end of winter<\/strong> . The female flowers appear in solitary amentos of 1’5 to 3cm, and the masculine ones measure about 3-6cm and appear in groups of 2 or 3. The fruit is a bialada samara.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCultivation and care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Would you like to have a copy? If so, we recommend providing the following care:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n It is a tree that must be placed outside<\/strong> , in full sun. It is very important to plant it at a minimum distance of 6 meters from the wall of the house, pipes and others, because although it does not occupy too much space your root system is one of those that extend quite a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSoil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n It prefers fresh soils, rich in organic matter, and acids<\/strong> (pH between 4 and 6). It can also be in gardens with limestone, but it should not be compact.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIrrigation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Very frequent<\/strong> . The birch is a tree that lives near the water courses, so it is very important to water it very often: every 4-5 days in summer and a little less the rest of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFertilizer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n From the beginning of spring to the end of summer<\/strong> it can be fertilized with organic fertilizers, such as guano (like this one here ) or manure .<\/p>\n\n\n\nPlanting time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n In spring<\/strong> , when the risk of frost has passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPruning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The pruning of the birch only reduces to remove the dry, diseased or weak branches<\/strong> in autumn when the leaves fall or at the end of winter before budbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMultiplication<\/h3>\n\n\n\nSeeds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n To multiply it by seeds first you have to stratify them for three months in the fridge by filling a tupperware with vermiculite , then bury them a bit in the substrate, water and place the container in the appliance, where the dairy products, sausages and others are placed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When that time has passed, we must proceed to plant them in a nursery following this step by step<\/strong> :<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe first thing we will do is fill the seedbed with universal culture substrate mixed with 30% perlite.<\/li> Then, we water and throw the seeds on the surface.<\/li> Then, cover them with a thin layer of substrate and sprinkle copper or sulfur to prevent the appearance of fungi.<\/li> Finally, we spray with water and place the seedbed outside, in full sun.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nIf everything goes well they will germinate throughout the spring<\/strong> .<\/p>\n\n\n\nCuttings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n A faster way to get birch specimens is by cuttings taken at the end of winter. For that what we will do is cut a branch of about 40cm, impregnate its base with rooting hormones in powder<\/strong> (we can buy them here ) or with homemade rooting and then plant it in a pot<\/strong> with universal substrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe place it in semi-shade, and in 2-3 months we will have a new birch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Propagation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n If we want to make sure we get a new birch, we can multiply it by air layering in spring. The procedure is as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe first thing we will do is cut a bark ring 1-2cm wide to a branch that looks healthy.<\/li> Then, we spray it with water and we impregnate it with rooting hormones in powder.<\/li> Now we take a dark plastic bag, open it at the end, and place it on the branch by tying a side with a rope or wire.<\/li> Then, fill the bag with universal culture substrate previously moistened with water and tie the other end of the bag to the branch so that the soil is not lost.<\/li> Finally, we water with a syringe frequently.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nIn 2-3 months it will emit its own roots<\/strong> and, later, we will be able to separate our new copy from the mother plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\nResistance and Resilience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Resists frosts of up to -18\u00baC<\/strong> ; on the other hand, it can not live well in climates with temperatures above 35\u00baC.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIs Birch Tree Available As bonsai?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Yes of course. The birch bonsai is one of the, that in fact, more can be found for sale in the nurseries. Their care are the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location<\/strong> : outside, in full sun.<\/li>Watering<\/strong> : frequent. It does not resist the drought.<\/li>Substrate: <\/strong> 100% akadama (you can acquire it here ).<\/li>Subscriber<\/strong> : from spring until the end of summer with a liquid fertilizer for bonsai (like this one here) Flower 10724 – Bonsai liquid fertilizer, 300 ml following the indications specified on the package.<\/li>Styles<\/strong> : fits almost all without problems: forest, formal vertical, informal vertical.<\/li>Pruning<\/strong> : it should be shaped when it is still young, removing those branches that stand out from the style.<\/li>Transplant<\/strong> : every 2-3 years.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhat uses does it have?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOrnamental<\/h3>\n\n\n\n It is a tree with a high ornamental value. It looks great in the gardens<\/strong> , either as a solitary specimen or in groups. Although it does not give much shade, it is perfect for, for example, having a natural screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYELLOW LEAVES IN A BIRCH TREE (THIS IS A BETULA PENDULA) DURING FALL. THIS COLOR IS QUITE NORMAL AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nProperties of the birch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n According to Webmd website, It is a very complete medicinal plant, whose properties are: antiseptic, antifungal, depurative, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, astringent, antihemorrhagic, healing and analgesic. This means that it is used to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n