About Clump River Birch Trees

In general, you should always plant birch trees of all varieties in a spot where it will have access to full sunlight. The soil should be well draining and acidic, containing at least partial sand so that drainage will be sufficient. Avoid planting a clump river birch tree in soils that are heavy with clay and excessively wet, as this will adversely affect the health of it. It is a good idea to place mulch or compost material around the base of the tree as well, in order to prevent disturbance by weeds and to retain the moisture in the soil.

When planting your clump river birch, make sure the hole you dig is at least two to three times wider than the tree's root ball. Align the tree properly as you place it within, and break up the soil, then tamp it down to eliminate any air clumps. The roots should sit just at the surface of the soil, and you should thoroughly water the area, allowing it to drain into the earth. This is important so that the tree's roots can establish themselves in the soil.

Periodically, pruning of your tree will be necessary. Generally speaking, birch trees should be pruned in the late spring, and only after its leaves have reached their full size. Avoid pruning before this time, as this can lead to bleeding of sap, which can zap your tree of moisture. Pruning in late summer is also discouraged due to the fact that the tree will bleed sap in the spring, once the growing season starts up again. If you make the mistake of pruning at the wrong time, you can protect your clump river birch by administering a good amount of water to compensate for the moisture loss.