Betula pendula Plant Care Reminders

European white birch

General Information

• Instruction By	Steve Brigham
  Notes	In coastal Southern California, there are several kinds of Birch trees that may be grown as landscape trees. But they all are a bit out of their element, because of the long growing season, occasional hot, dry winds, and lack of winter chill. Birch trees are often planted in lawns, but they really do much better as garden trees, where deep rooting can be encouraged. For the best results, plant in a deep, well-drained soil, and water Birch trees regularly and deeply. Regular feeding helps, too. Don\'t plant Birch trees near paved areas or where cars are parked, or occasional aphid honeydew fall will be a problem.
  Sunset Zones	1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39  40  41  42  43  44  45
  USDA Zones	1  2a  2b  3a  3b  4a  4b  5a  5b  6a  6b  7a  7b  8a  8b  9a  9b  10a  10b  11  12

Plant Care Instruction

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

  February 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

  March 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Fertilize Feed with a balanced fertilizer to keep plants growing well. 4. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 5. Mulch Mulch to conserve water use and keep roots cool.

  April 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids and sooty mold. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids.

  May 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids and sooty mold. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids.

  June 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Fertilize Feed with a balanced fertilizer to keep plants growing well. 4. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 5. Mulch Mulch to conserve water use and keep roots cool. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids and sooty mold. 7. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids.

  July 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids and sooty mold. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids.

  August 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids and sooty mold. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids.

  September 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Fertilize Feed with a balanced fertilizer to keep plants growing well. 4. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 5. Prune Prune this month only to shape. Do not prune heavily. 6. Mulch Mulch to conserve water use and keep roots cool. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids and sooty mold. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids. 9. Propagate Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.

  October 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 4. Prune Prune this month only to shape. Do not prune heavily. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids and sooty mold. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids. 7. Propagate Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.

  November 1. Buy Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. 2. Plant Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

  December 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! February Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. March Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. April Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. May Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. June Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. July Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. August Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. September Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. October Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound. November Buy container-grown trees. Look for big, full trees that are not too root-bound.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? February Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. March Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. April Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. May Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. June Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. July Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. August Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. September Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. October Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. November Plant in well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? March Feed with a balanced fertilizer to keep plants growing well. June Feed with a balanced fertilizer to keep plants growing well. September Feed with a balanced fertilizer to keep plants growing well.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. February Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. March Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. April Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. May Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. June Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. July Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. August Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. September Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. October Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. November Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. December Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? September Prune this month only to shape. Do not prune heavily. October Prune this month only to shape. Do not prune heavily.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March Mulch to conserve water use and keep roots cool. June Mulch to conserve water use and keep roots cool. September Mulch to conserve water use and keep roots cool.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? April Watch for aphids and sooty mold. May Watch for aphids and sooty mold. June Watch for aphids and sooty mold. July Watch for aphids and sooty mold. August Watch for aphids and sooty mold. September Watch for aphids and sooty mold. October Watch for aphids and sooty mold.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? April Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids. May Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids. June Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids. July Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids. August Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids. September Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids. October Wash foliage with a spray of water to dislodge aphids.

  Propagate When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements? April Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings. September Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings. October Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.