If you need to plant in clay soil, aerate the soil by making deep holes in a 20-centimetre grid pattern around the tree.īirches need their space. They have difficulty surviving in heavy clay soil. Apply leaf or grass clippings and compost about six inches deep in a three-foot radius for new trees in a six feet radius for mature trees.īirches thrive in well-drained sandy loam (slightly acidic) among other trees. Use a mulch to shade the root system and increase moisture retention. Their crowns require plenty of sunlight, but birch roots and bases must be protected from heat. They need moisture and partial or light shade, but not too much shade. The best time to plant a birch tree is spring and early summer.
By Dorothy Dobbie When and where to plant a birch Birches need lots of space and well-drained soil to thrive.
