Paper birch

[RJG2]

Wish me luck

Collected on Easter at my uncle's house in NH. If I'm coming over in early spring, and you have woods, my root slayer is coming with me.

Surprised I didn't take any pictures prior to/during potting - must have been in a rush - but it's a bit bulbous under there.

April 1st, right after potting (in the back):


July 25th:


Today:


Seems to be doing well; bark is just starting to turn white.

 

[Carol 83]

Wish me luck

Collected on Easter at my uncle's house in NH. If I'm coming over in early spring, and you have woods, my root slayer is coming with me.

Surprised I didn't take any pictures prior to/during potting - must have been in a rush - but it's a bit bulbous under there.

April 1st, right after potting (in the back):
View attachment 564256

July 25th:
View attachment 564257

Today:
View attachment 564258

Seems to be doing well; bark is just starting to turn white.

When I was a kid, we had a birch tree in the yard. It was my favorite, I was fascinated by the white bark.

 

[RJG2]

Grew very well this year; I think the pot is full of roots.

Will probably move it to an Anderson flat in the spring to get the roots arranged and start some real work in the growing season.

 

[RJG2]

Questions for people with birches:

When do yours wake up? Are they one of the earliest?

I was thinking about thread grafting this, and it seems the buds are already swelling (despite being buried in snow and frozen).

Here's my temperatures for the last month, just got fun:

 

[Tieball]

Mighty fine start to your tree. I have always admired the full size trees in nature. Under your watchful care the tree should develop very well. I have only seen two in separate bonsai exhibits and there were fabulous. Both had the more slender trunk like your tree. So great possibilities are ahead of you.

 

[NaoTK]

I already repot mine, the buds were getting quite fat. Birch is one of the earliest, but this winter has been unusually warm and dry in Oregon.

How long for these guys to paper up in a bonsai pot?

 

[August44]

Wish me luck

Collected on Easter at my uncle's house in NH. If I'm coming over in early spring, and you have woods, my root slayer is coming with me.

Surprised I didn't take any pictures prior to/during potting - must have been in a rush - but it's a bit bulbous under there.

April 1st, right after potting (in the back):
View attachment 564256

July 25th:
View attachment 564257

Today:
View attachment 564258

Seems to be doing well; bark is just starting to turn white.

Really nice one you got there. Which birch is it and are the known for dropping branching whenever they feel like it? The bark and the coloring are great. We don't have wild birch here but do have Aspen. Lucky you.

 

[RJG2]

I already repot mine, the buds were getting quite fat. Birch is one of the earliest, but this winter has been unusually warm and dry in Oregon.

I don't want to hear about your nice, mild PNW weather!

How long for these guys to paper up in a bonsai pot?

Good question; guess we'll see if I can keep it alive!

This is it now, don't think I'll be repotting too soon:



Bad picture, but you can see the bud at the very top of the frame is sticking out away from the branch, not great for a thread graft:

 

[RJG2]

Really nice one you got there. Which birch is it and are the known for dropping branching whenever they feel like it? The bark and the coloring are great. We don't have wild birch here but do have Aspen. Lucky you.

Pretty sure it's a paper/white birch, but not 100% sure.

I'm sure it's just as prone to dropped branches as any other. Hopefully following Dennis V. and @MACH5's methods will minimize that.

 

[NaoTK]

I saw some green in the bud when I repot mine.

My 2cents on birch dropping branches is to NOT do the traditional fall pruning and instead do branch cutting in Summer. I have observed the tree make branch selection over winter so going into winter strong has worked so far.

 

[MACH5]

Adding to what Nao said, I do not pinch but rather cut back after shoots have extended 4 to 5 leaves. I typically get several strong flushes during the growing season but I do not prune after July. Let the tree go into fall as strong as possible as Nao mentioned.

In my experience, whatever branches the tree drops will happen as it transitions into fall.

 

[yashu]

My yellow birch has swelling buds, just ever so slightly. Several other trees are way ahead of the birch though. Pretty odd though considering that we have had a very cold stretch for the last two months with no real break.

 

[RJG2]

My yellow birch has swelling buds, just ever so slightly. Several other trees are way ahead of the birch though. Pretty odd though considering that we have had a very cold stretch for the last two months with no real break.

I'd check on my other stuff, but most are completely covered in snow! Aside my tallest things, and the sacrifices on a couple pitch pines.

 

[RJG2]

One thing I haven't heard much about is timing of harder cut backs if necessary. I assume post-harden of the first flush would be safest?

 

[pandacular]

I was told you can thread graft after defoliation. Not sure if birch can take that, but their cousins in betulacae, Alnus and Populus can.

 

[MACH5]

One thing I haven't heard much about is timing of harder cut backs if necessary. I assume post-harden of the first flush would be safest?

I have not yet done any bigger cut backs on my birch. I am going to guess that following my own deciduous protocol, post hardening timing might be best. Make sure to leave a stub and cover it with cut paste and let the tree compartmentalize the area first before the final, flush cut is made.

 

[RJG2]

Repot #2 for the season. Let's try for some better roots...