| If you're living in growing zones 4-9, and you're | | | | ensure that it has not developed diseases or been |
| looking for a tree that can provide your yard with | | | | infested by insects. If you do find common |
| a unique look and some much needed cover for | | | | insects in your tree, you should immediately take |
| both the intense heat of the summer months and | | | | action to fend off any chance of infestation and |
| the bitter cold of the winter months, the river | | | | plant death and should continue to monitor and |
| birch tree is exactly what you need. | | | | control the insect life surrounding your tree. |
| These trees have everything a trained gardener | | | | The river birch tree grows best in full sunshine, |
| dreams of-delicate, brightly colored foliage that | | | | with cool and moist soil that will remain so and will |
| dances gracefully on the wind as well as incredible | | | | not become dried out during Summer months. |
| features in their bark. | | | | These trees should not be planted near power |
| However, before purchasing a river birch tree, | | | | lines and other overhead wires as they can and |
| there are several things every gardener should | | | | typically do reach more than forty to fifty feet in |
| know, whether trained or a weekend hobbyist. | | | | height. |
| Birch trees, while beautiful and unique, are difficult | | | | Be sure you tree receives the ultimate and |
| to maintain. These trees are a beautiful | | | | proper care, including regular pruning to avoid |
| ornamental decoration but will typically not last as | | | | breakage and other damage, water, mulch and |
| long as the owner would like them to. A healthy | | | | fertilization to ensure that your plant has the |
| birch tree can live as many as forty or fifty | | | | proper nutrients and attention to grow and |
| years, but the typical birch, whether in an urban | | | | maintain its health. |
| or suburban or even country setting, will most | | | | You can choose from many different varieties of |
| likely live for twenty years or fewer. These trees | | | | river birch tree, although the most common |
| are notorious for reaching a state of decline after | | | | varieties feature yellow leaves in the fall and are |
| only a few years and each variety is susceptible | | | | either single stemmed in the trunk or come with |
| to its own set of insects and diseases. If you are | | | | clumped stems of 3-5. |
| not aware of the exact specimen you are | | | | While the tree does require a great deal of |
| planting, your tree may die in as little as ten years | | | | maintenance and attention, if you are searching |
| or less. | | | | for a tree for your yard that you can truly be |
| Keeping a river birch tree healthy depends on | | | | proud of, boast about and show off, then this is |
| selecting an appropriate growing location, choosing | | | | the tree for you. The hard work you put into this |
| the right species for your growing zone, following | | | | tree will be well rewarded with long life and |
| all of the practices and advice to keep your birch | | | | incredible beauty. |
| healthy and consistently monitoring your tree to | | | | |