Betula

The genus Birch (Betula) includes about 60 deciduous species: trees and shrubs (creeping shrubs). The trunk is usually erect, covered with a characteristic white smooth bark, peeling off with thin horizontal stripes. The crown is ovoid or obovate, with branches open up or hanging. The next leaves are simple and diamond-shaped with a serrated or sawn edge. Flowers are collected in inflorescences - earrings. Male inflorescences at the ends of the branches winter in the form of noticeable dense brown earrings, in the spring they begin to grow, exposing flowers with a stealthy perianth and two stamens with yellow anthers. Pistillate (female) green earrings are shorter than male ones, develop in spring from kidneys on shortened shoots. Birch is hanging, warty, or weeping (Betula pendula), - a tree with openwork crown, branches hanging down, with snow white or grayish-white bark. A characteristic feature of this species is small cusps ("warts") on young shoots. Furry birch (Betula pubescens) - an erect tree with upwardly oriented branches, smooth white or grayish bark and pubescent young shoots. Introduced species are widely used in landscaping, for example, Dalecarlica birch (B. dalecarlica) with decorative deeply dissected leaves; blue birch (B. coerulea) with a beautiful white, bluish shade of birch bark; Allegan birch, or yellow (B. alleghaniensis), with golden gray shiny finely layered bark and light green leaves. In autumn, the foliage of trees of this species acquires a magnificent golden or yellow color of various shades.

The genus Birch (Betula) includes about 60 deciduous species: trees and shrubs (creeping shrubs). The trunk is usually erect, covered with a characteristic white smooth bark, peeling off with thin horizontal stripes. The crown is ovoid or obovate, with branches open up or hanging. The next leaves are simple and diamond-shaped with a serrated or sawn edge. Flowers are collected in inflorescences - earrings. Male inflorescences at the ends of the branches winter in the form of noticeable dense brown earrings, in the spring they begin to grow, exposing flowers with a stealthy perianth and two stamens with yellow anthers. Pistillate (female) green earrings are shorter than male ones, develop in spring from kidneys on shortened shoots.

Birch is hanging, warty, or weeping (Betula pendula), - a tree with openwork crown, branches hanging down, with snow white or grayish-white bark. A characteristic feature of this species is small cusps ("warts") on young shoots.

Furry birch (Betula pubescens) - an erect tree with upwardly oriented branches, smooth white or grayish bark and pubescent young shoots.

Introduced species are widely used in landscaping, for example, Dalecarlica birch (B. dalecarlica) with decorative deeply dissected leaves; blue birch (B. coerulea) with a beautiful white, bluish shade of birch bark; Allegan birch, or yellow (B. alleghaniensis), with golden gray shiny finely layered bark and light green leaves. In autumn, the foliage of trees of this species acquires a magnificent golden or yellow color of various shades.

Cultivation

Birches are planted in the ground in autumn (in a cold climate) or spring. These trees prefer fertile non-heavy soils with good water-retaining ability, with neutral or slightly acidic pH (acidity level), however, less fertile and calcareous soils are suitable for them. It is recommended to place them next to flowing or standing reservoirs, where there is a constantly wet environment so desirable for them. And they are not advised to plant them near the walls: the vast root system of birch located in the upper layer of soil can slowly destroy the structure. Cutting is not necessary, except for the removal of dry, damaged and ugly branches.

Location

Birch prefers a very well-lit place, but not in the open sun.

Temperature

Birches are extremely resistant to cold. However, they grow in hot climatic zones, where they reach smaller sizes.

Watering

If they do not grow near a flowing or standing reservoir, young plants are recommended to be watered during a prolonged drought.

Reproduction

Seeds are harvested in summer (July-August). Seedlings are grown on lungs - sandy and light-carbohydrate soils. After 2-3 years, grown seedlings can be planted completely. Ornamental forms, especially birch bark, require grafting to basins grown from seed of the original species, which is usually carried out in March.

Diseases

There are many pests of birch. Seeds damage some: birch seed, larva of the galley of birch seeds, riders, etc. The roots of seedlings and seedlings are gnawed by others: common bear, alkalis, winter scoop caterpillar, gastropod mollusks. Leaves affect the birch northern sawdust, birch tripe. Insecticide treatment is required to protect against insect pests. The mushroom is especially dangerous. Its spores penetrate inside through wounds and cause extensive decay of the trunk, shoots; the plant is then removed. Honey honeydew (Armillaria mellea) provokes root decay, which inevitably leads to the death of the plant. Rust causes reddish-yellow spots on the upper side of the leaves, and orange powdered purulent ones develop on the lower side. Treatment with dithiocarbamate-based fungicides is required.

There are many pests of birch. Seeds damage some: birch seed, larva of the galley of birch seeds, riders, etc. The roots of seedlings and seedlings are gnawed by others: common bear, alkalis, winter scoop caterpillar, gastropod mollusks. Leaves affect the birch northern sawdust, birch tripe. Insecticide treatment is required to protect against insect pests. The mushroom is especially dangerous. Its spores penetrate inside through wounds and cause extensive decay of the trunk, shoots; the plant is then removed.

Honey honeydew (Armillaria mellea) provokes root decay, which inevitably leads to the death of the plant.

Rust causes reddish-yellow spots on the upper side of the leaves, and orange powdered purulent ones develop on the lower side. Treatment with dithiocarbamate-based fungicides is required.

Acquisition

Birch is easy to find in specialized gardening centers and nurseries. Young plants and seedlings grown in containers should be purchased. The fact is that adult specimens do not tolerate transplants. Strong and well-formed seedlings are selected, making sure that they are healthy.