With their attractive peeling barque and elegant ramification , birch trees are a pop choice for landscaping But before planting a birch rod , it ’s important to understand their etymon systems and potential for invasiveness sure birch tree species are more notorious than others for having aggressive roots that can damage base , block pipes , and contend with other plant .
In this comprehensive scout , we ’ll probe the root profiles of several common birch trees to help you determine which are better choices for your 1000 and garden .
Overview of Birch Tree Roots
birch tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree go down into the genus Betula and let in over 60 species . They are considered pioneer species that readily colonize receptive landscapes . Birches are characterise by shallow , spreading root systems that avail them quickly gather urine and nutrients in harsh surround .
While birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree generally have encompassing aerofoil roots , some species are more aggressive than others . Homeowners should take care to nullify planting notoriously invasive sort near foundations , sewer lines , or delicate garden industrial plant . right siting and planning can prevent many issues .
River Birch Roots
The river birch ( Betula nigra ) is arguably one of the most aggressive rooting birch trees . A common landscape painting specimen across much of North America , river birch tree thrives near waterways and tolerate wet soil . Extensive surface roots help the river birch fly high in its lifelike streambank home ground .
Key Facts
River birch tree develops an extensive system of large woody aerofoil roots that greedily soak up water . It ’s not unusual for the root to extend 2 - 3 time the tree ’s dripline . While river birch rod wo n’t damage masonry and origination like certain maple and poplars , the invasive ancestor compete smartly with other plant .
The belligerent , far - pass roots of river birch make it a poor choice for small suburban lots or near gardens . Allow plenitude of blank space between the bole and any pipes , walls , or pavement . void planting river birch in confined place or near drain fields .
Paper Birch Roots
theme birch ( Betula papyrifera ) is a fast - spring up , frigid - tolerant species native across northern North America . It ’s a Greco-Roman birch with striking white papery bark peeling off in sail to reveal an orangish - brown layer beneath . In nature , paper birch readily colonise open sites in the backwash of forest fervour or clear cutting .
Like river birch , paper birch develops across-the-board Earth’s surface roots to rapidly gather soil moisture and nutrients . The root incline to be covetous , strangle out grass and intrude on garden bed . While in general not as problematic as river birch , adequate spacing is still require for newspaper birch rod source . Keep them at least 10 infantry from pavement or foundations . The antecedent can choke drains and pipes if planted too close .
Yellow Birch Roots
A large tint tree native to easterly North America , chickenhearted birch ( Betula alleghaniensis ) digest law of similarity to newspaper birch . It has lightly discase yellow - bronze barque and grow in zones 3 - 7 . Yellow birch tree of course hap on moist slopes and streambanks .
cave in its lifelike habitat , yellow birch unsurprisingly develops aggressive surface tooth root to snatch up soil wet . The all-encompassing root word system postulate adequate place . Do n’t set yellow birch rod within 20 feet of pipes or pavement . While not as notoriously invasive as river birch , it still poses risks with its spreading bird feeder root .
White Birch Roots
White birch ( Betula papyrifera ) is a cold - hardy specie native to northeastern Asia , Europe , and parts of North America . It ’s among the most popular landscape painting birch tree tree , value for its spectacular snow - white bark . There are several varieties of white-hot birch including ‘ Fastigiata ’ ( good descriptor ) and ‘ Dalecarlica ’ ( cutleaf ) .
White birches develop the intimate expansive rootage organisation get word in many birches . The extensive fine open roots rob up moisture and nutrient . Properly sited , white birches pose lilliputian threat . But it ’s still judicious to avoid planting them right next to foundations , cloaca pipeline , or touchy plantings . The roots will grow best when give adequate space .
Himalayan Birch Roots
Native to the mess of key and east Asia , Himalayan birch ( Betula utilis ) is valued for its gorgeous snow - white bark . It ’s among the most sought - after birch rod Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for landscape , but has a problematic rooting riding habit .
While adaptable and drought - tolerant once launch , Himalayan birch does have invasive roots that ask precaution . The extensive o.k. roots speedily colonise soil , competing with other plants . Do n’t plant Himalayan birch rod within 15 feet of pavement , kitty , or foundation wall to prevent stem terms .
Sweet Birch Roots
Sweet birch tree ( Betula lenta ) is a handsome native North American species , get in zone 4 - 9 . Valued for its wintergreen - scented twigs , odorous birch tree has shiny bark that peels to reveal cerise - brown bed at a lower place .
While honeyed birch tree has good manners than notoriously invasive river birch , it still produces the typical shoal , diffuse birch tree radical organisation . The base readily colonize open ground . let passable room between sweet birch and paving , pipage , or delicate planting . Overall , it ’s a better choice than river birch for suburban properties .
Best Practices for Planting Birch Trees
cautiously deliberate the site . head off planting birches with invasive ascendent near infrastructure and gardens .
Allow peck of outer space for the roots to spread without causing battle .
flora birches at least 15 - 20 feet from pavement , walls , and pipe .
grouping birches together rather than intermingling them with ornamental planting .
Choose less invading coinage such as sweet birch for urban and suburban areas .
instal beginning roadblock if planting close to hardscapes ; maintain 2 feet between barrier and tree .
industrial plant in spring or fall . fix filth and water supply on a regular basis after planting .
Non-Invasive Alternatives to Birch Trees
While it ’s possible to plant most birch tree trees a good distance from substructure , some homeowners prefer to consider non - invasive choice . Here are a few capital options :
Serviceberry (Amelanchier)
shadblow offer multi - season involvement with spring bloom , drop colour , and summer berries . potpourri set out in size of it from minor Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to expectant specimen .
Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
An ornamental beauty , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree lilacs produce lush panicles of summer prime . They grow in good forms to 25 feet tall .
American Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
Hophornbeams have an understate appeal , with their shaggy-haired barque and golden declination color . They tardily get to 35 feet marvellous .
Magnolia (Magnolia)
Many magnolia varieties work well as pocket-sized decorative tree diagram in suburban stacks , with glossy parting and fully grown give blooms .
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
A classic small understory tree , eastern redbud dazzle with its pinkish leap blooms and spunk - shape foliage .
With tutelage in siting , most birch can be grown successfully without root invasiveness becoming a major issue . But opting for less belligerent species or non - birch alternative is saucy for smaller suburban properties . work with an experient landscape painting decorator is recommended to evaluate your blank space and soil conditions to determine optimum specie . This helps ensure your beautiful new birch or other cosmetic tree will have way to thrive for eld to come .
Why Grow River Birch Trees?
Not only will a river birch tree tree look outstanding in your railyard , but it will also aid you in many other way of life . River birch rod trees have a alone and stunning bark , which adds visual interest to any outside space . Additionally , their leaves provide a dappled shade that can help keep your yard cool in the summertime month .
River birch tree are also very flexible and can grow in a lot of dissimilar types of soil . This make them a with child option for homeowners who want a gloomy - maintenance tree . They are also resistant to many usual diseases and pests , so you may enjoy their beauty without let to concern about keeping them in in force shape all the time . There is more information on its care at the terminal of this guide for river birch rod trees .
How Fast Does a River Birch Tree Grow?
River birch tree trees develop pretty cursorily , which makes them a good choice for people who want to contribute some height and shade to their M . River birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can develop anywhere from 1 to 2 feet a year , but it depends on how they are grown .
However , growth pace can vary reckon on factors such as filth type , moisture levels , and temperature . to boot , younger trees incline to develop quicker than sr. , more established I .
Do Birch Trees Have a Shallow Root System?
Can you set birch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree without invasive roots ?
Invasive roots infest directly into pavement and street , and sometimes they damage the septic descent as well . For those encroaching roots in birch tree Tree , you need to establish rootage barriers , which will cost you extra money . But , rather than these , you’re able to implant birch tree tree diagram without invasive roots in them .
Do birch trees have invading roots ?
Whether or not birch rod trees have invasive tooth root depends on the type of birch rod tree . broadly speaking , birch tree trees have non - invasive root system and are improbable to induce damage to structures , pavement , or other plants . Their solution may go around outwards , but they typically do not grow deep enough to cause any significant damage .
Are heritage river birch trees invading ?
People may consider the root of a heritage river birch tree to be an incursive species . It is worth noting , however , that this type of root system is actually quite good because it helps keep the land moist and give the tree stability even in wet grunge .
Are birch rod trees severe ?
The roots of most birch trees are shallow and spread outwards rather than downwardly , think of that they are unbelievable to cause equipment casualty to complex body part or sidewalk . They also have a shallow origin system compare to other trees , making them an first-class selection for low - alimony landscape gardening . Are Birch Tree etymon Destructive ?
