planting Silver Birch - optimal spacing?

 Hi All,

I have a couple of young Silver Birch trees, still in pots.

After doing a search, I'm still not completely sure of what spacing I
should use when planting... I'd like to plant one either side of my main
front gate (I'm on acreage in Tasmania).

Plenty of sites state that max size is around 20m high x 10m wide, and
that the tree is "short lived". I'm not sure what their definition of
"short lived" is though? Also, approximately how many years are we
talking about when it comes to reaching full size?

I figure if the trees take 10-20 years to get near full mature size, that
I could plant them a bit closer, and I'd have plenty of time to prune/
train branches away so they don't reduce clearance through the gate.

So... what spacing would be best under the circumstances?
They will have full sunlight, the soil is pretty good, well drained with
plenty of organic matter (but I don't know the PH as yet).

I have plenty of compost, chook poo and a bag of dynamic lifter available
to feed the trees. I want to provide optimal conditons for growth, so if
there is anything else I should add, I'd be interested to know.

I suspect that some of the local critter might find the young foliage
tempting, so plan use stakes & chicken mesh for protection.

Having only known tropical horticulture, I'm on a bit of a crash course
learning all about temperate zone trees and plants in general... thanks
for any help.

 On Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:04:48 +0000, Jeßus wrote:


I settled on 3.5m spacing...

---------------------------------
 Betula pendula 'Fastigiata'
Family:     Betulaceae.
Landscape value:     An adaptable, columnar birch with a silvery-white
trunk and contorted, twisted branches creating an interesting effect in
winter. Betula pendula 'Fastigiata' is suitable as a specimen tree for
landscape effects or for use in areas where lateral space is limited.
Height:     11 metres.
Width:     4 metres.
Growth rate:     Moderate.
Habit:     Columnar, fastigiate, tending to be narrowly ovate when older.
The outer branches slightly incurve and intertwine.
Foliage:     Bright green, triangular leaves with doubly serrate
margins. Butter yellow in autumn.
Flowers:     Small flowers borne in catkins. Male and female flowers
are separate on the same plant (monoecious).
Fruit:     Small winged nutlets borne in a pendulous 'cone' (a strobilus)
that sheds in autumn.
Bark:     Ornamental, papery white bark that exfoliates in sheets. Becoming
black fissured on the lower trunk when older.
Tolerances:     Prefers a moist, well drained soil, but will tolerate
relatively wet or dry positions. Adaptable to varied pH values.
Comments:     If pruning is required, it should be carried out in late
summer or early autumn, as pruning in late winter or early spring causes
the tree to 'bleed' excessively.

 On Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:04:48 +0000 (UTC), Jeßus


How big they grow depends on temperature mainly. A grove in Iceland
has hundred year old trees that wouldn't reach the ceiling of a room.
Yet one I saw planted in Sydney said 'thanks a lot' and raced up to
the height of the single storey house in no time.

There probably won't be any creatures to blight the tree, given it is
exotic.

As for pruning, the essential beauty of a Silver Birch is in the
tracery of its branches. Pruning would destroy that appearance.

http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/5Silver%20birch.htm

Space them by 10 m so each one can form properly.

 On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:21:46 +1100, Richard Wright wrote:


Thanks for the advice Richard.

Turns out that two of the three seedlings I have are 'Pendula' - I am
under the impression that this variety grows somewhat smaller? Anyway, I
planted them 3.5m either side of the gate posts. So they're easily 10m
apart.

I also need a windbreak along one fence line and now I'm considering
using Silver Birches as the main tree for this as well - they should help
block the wind but not overly block the view excessively. Plus, they look
fantastic come winter time of course!

Cheers

 On Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:56:16 +0000 (UTC), Jeßus


I don't think SIlver Birch would be any use as a windbreak. The
foliage is not dense enough in summer. There is no foliage in winter,
because it is a deciduous tree.