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| Hi, Everyone,
New member here. Thanks for taking the time to read my question. I live in Alaska, where the days are longer and the season is shorter and colder than most places. Last May, I planted a young River Birch tree in the back yard. Good sunlight on roots for most of the day, then shaded roots after about 7p.m. Upper part of the tree is in light all day. I mixed in vermiculite with the soil and mulched about three feet diameter. The problem is that our yard had terrible drainage. After a rain, we have standing water in some areas for a day or two (which is why I planted a River Birch instead of another type). In addition, the drainage problem was compounded about two months after I planted the tree when we had over 30 consecutive days of rain. I put a tarp over the base of the tree, but that did nothing. The bottom line is that poor tree got soaked and stayed soaked for over a month. There was standing water in the mulch. By the time the rain stopped, some of the leaves were (I think) prematurely yellowing. But now there appear to be tiny buds on every branch, so I am hopeful. Should I do anything special to help this little guy make it through spring? There is still snow on the ground immediately behind the tree, FYI. And my second question: if we do not have a repeat of last summer's rainy season and the ground dries out quite a bit, should I refrain from watering the tree to encourage the roots to dig deep? Thanks very much,
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| I'm not convinced it got too wet. What these definitely don't like is getting real dry, do water during summer if needed. Roots don't "go deep" in response to inadequate watering. If the upper part of the root zone gets too dry, that part of the root system (and maybe part or all of the top of the tree) just dies. |
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- Posted by keithp3521 none (My Page) on Sun, Apr 17, 11 at 22:26
| Okay, thanks, bboy. I'll wait and see if it bursts forth with new life. Should know soon. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Mon, Apr 18, 11 at 8:03
| Should I do anything special to help this little guy make it through spring? There is still snow on the ground immediately behind the tree, FYI. ====>>>> step away from it.. and let it do its thing .... water when it needs water.. which is when the soil is dry.. or hot.. check by inserting finger to the second knuckle... how meaning it will dry in a day or two ... it probably will not need water until late spring.. or early summer.. when the heat really hits ... you said: Should I do anything special to help this little guy make it through spring? ===>>> it is a tree.. not a child .. nor a little guy ... it needs nothing but water.. to grow the roots to get going in life ... a soil test might tell you if anything is lacking in your soil.. or call your County Ag office and ask .. they will have a general idea ... otherwise .. nothing but water ... and proper mulch ... if there is a next time.. do not amend the soil ... unless it is heavy clay ... btw.. how big is it???? welcome to GW... ken |
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- Posted by keithp3521 none (My Page) on Mon, Apr 18, 11 at 14:11
| Thanks, Ken. It's about eight feet high at its tallest tips. Are you saying to not use the vermiculite next time? Thanks again. Keith |
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- Posted by dan_staley 5b/SS 2b AHS 6-7 (My Page) on Mon, Apr 18, 11 at 16:24
| No vermiculite needed. Dan |
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| It's almost never a good idea (and that goes for any type of soil from sand to clay) to amend backfill soil when planting a woody plant. |
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- Posted by keithp3521 none (My Page) on Thu, Apr 21, 11 at 21:50
| Okay. Thanks. I plan to plant at least one more in the backyard, so I will go without any additive. I only added the vermiculite because a gentleman at the store told me to. Thanks again. |
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| There's lots of people working in nurseries and garden stores that are not up to date on horticultural techniques. For modern information... |
Here is a link that might be useful: Linda Chalker-Scott
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- Posted by patseekelly 7 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 12, 12 at 12:43
| Need Help with Heritage Birch tree Stressed from too much water too little water. Have Lawn irrigation systen 3 times a week 12 minutes cut back to 6 minutes . Leaves turning yellow and dropping. |
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- Posted by patseekelly 7 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 12, 12 at 12:44
| Pictures |
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| How long has that been in the ground? Looks like it doesn't need irrigation anymore unless its excessively dry. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 12, 12 at 17:29
| pat.. if you started your own post.. and checked the box.. replies would come to your mail ... the tree looks telephone-poled.. planted too deep .. can you start your own post.. and put a better pic of where the trunks go into the soil .. with the mulch pulled back ... have you dug a hole.. and found out.. how much water is actually in the root mass??? and.. as stated.. new transplant???? ken |
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- Posted by wisconsitom 4/5 WI (My Page) on Tue, Jun 12, 12 at 17:58
| Yes, pretty hard to overwater river birch. In their native haunts, they inhabit streamsides and floodplains, areas that are routinely inundated. +oM |
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- Posted by Dzitmoidonc 6 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 12, 12 at 18:21
| River Birch overwatered? Probably not.I see them growing along the Susquehanna River where they spend weeks with their roots in the water. Last year, they were underwater from early August until mid-September when we got over 3 feet of rain here, and July was a drought. I wondered if they would drop their leaves or die, but this year they are just as robust as ever. |
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