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Posted by Richard Wright on October 28, 2008, 7:38 pm
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>On Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:21:46 +1100, Richard Wright wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:04:48 +0000 (UTC), Jeßus
>>>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.
>>
>> 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.
>
>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
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.
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