Planting under a birch

9 years ago

Hi, new to forum. Did a search but could not find anything on this topic. Birch located on north side of house, approx 26 years old. East side of birch gets morning sun, west side of birch gets afternoon sun. Stage 1...want to add hostas and perennials to east side of birch. Stage 2...extend the bed to west side, more hostas closer to house where sun does not reach, perennials and maybe a shrub.
My question: not a young tree, how do I add plants and not harm this tree. Do not want to lose it. But we need to add some interest to this landscape plus we are tired of having to pick up birch branches every week before we can cut the lawn. My plan for this fall is to cut the lawn short, put down several layers of newspaper, add a thin layer of compost and cover with landscaping fabric to keep out weeds and all the branches that fall from the birch. In spring, remove fabric and begin planting.
Thoughts, suggestions, words of warning :) ?
Thanks, Deb

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

dbarron
9 years ago
I assume major goal is to avoid killing a 26 yr old tree...in that light, don't dig much into the root zone...and don't build the soil up and suffocate the root by denying them oxygen exchange.

Given that I had an established flowerbed under a very large river birch in Oklahoma for twelve years, it's quite possible. The birch does steal a fair amount of water from the bed, but not as much as a shallow rooted maple would.

(opinion) Landscape fabric is evil...never touch the stuff...just use newspaper and other organics to choke out the grass, though I'm afraid (depending on your lawn grass, which you didn't tell us), one cold season isn't enough to kill the lawn out.
drc215
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes, dbarron, major goal is not to kill the birch. I have no idea what type of grass we have. We did this process 3 years ago under a oak, grass was dead in spring. Fabric will be removed in spring, just there to keep area clean until I can plant. Do not plan on adding more than 3 inches of compost to avoid suffocating the roots and do plan on watering more to support tree and new plants.
Thanks!
Related Discussions
Groundcover under River Birch?
Q
Comments (2)
I realize I live in a different growing zone but I am growing Calamintha Grandiflora under mine and they are thriving in the dappled shade. Most of the time is is dry but when I soak the ground they seem to love it even more and put on more blooms. It took me two growing seasons to fill in the area but I have never regretted my decision on this.
...See More
ground cover mix under/btween river birches
Q
Comments (3)
The purple spike flowers could be Bugleweed- a weed ajuga with green leaves. Arum italicum has leaves during the winter and goes dormant during the summer. It is an interesting companion to hostas. It puts up a bloom in the summer that matures into red berries. For the part sun, look into geraniums- Crane's bill. Some of them are evergreen- except the leaves turn red in autumn. Carex morrowii- Japanese sedge is an evergreen, grass-like plant for shade. There are other Carex as well, but not all are evergreen. I'm not very surprised by your purpleheart- mine has been around for 3 years. I am impressed by the z6!
...See More
Groundcover under River Birch?
Q
Comments (1)
Ajuga reptans , Glechoma hederacea, or Origanum vulgare might do well for you.
...See More
Can I remove birch tree roots without negatively affecting tree?
Q
Comments (18)
So it seems the consensus is that removing these roots, or some of these roots, will have an affect on the tree. It is not clear as to whether removal of all of the roots would have a negative impact. If roots are removed, I can expect that the tree may suffer, but without a doubt, it will be aggressive in its root growth to compensate for the loss. I would find another area to garden in if I had a better one. Native plants have been suggested. But my love is with hostas and, as my mother-in-law used to say, "where there is a will, there is a way!" I think I have decided to remove one, if not two, roots at most. I will initially plant some small hostas with some of them in small spin out bags. We can see what next year brings. When it comes to gardening, I have learned is that one can never really count on one's plan coming to fruition. My hope is that as I move further away from the tree, I will find less roots. But I am not counting on that! As I have found my passion in garden, my property has been a disappointment and a struggle in many ways. But so far I have been up for the challenge. Bill, you mentioned frequent watering is required under birch and maple trees. So true! The area becomes bone dry so quickly. dbarron, I agree that the roots of the birch are very clever. They just know where the moisture is. So watering just the plants doesn't work. We know that now, but we didn't know it in the early stages of growth of this tree. But hostas are not out for the long run! No way! "A really tough spot you have there nhl." Thank you Bill. I gladly accept some empathy in this situation! Ken, I won't forget---water and fertilize the tree along with the plants! I am not sure why you were "wondering more about the fact that your tree looks telephone poled ... i wonder where the root flare is ..." Embothrium, birch trees work with gardens for 15 years! Wish I know that before! As for the other birch tree that appears damaged, I am not so sure that it was the added soil that caused stress to this tree. That tree was mature when we purchased the house 35 years ago. I think it is an aging tree and the ice storm we had several years ago broke some of its branches and stressed it out. (To the right is the white paper birch. To the left is the "damaged" tree. "I find it very unlikely that any municipality would tell property owners they cannot cut down hazard or otherwise failing trees." First of all, the city hires its own workers and they remove city trees on personal property. I don't believe the city considers this tree a hazard. They might consider it a failing tree, but they will not remove it until the decline is more advanced. And when that day comes---get this---I must replace the tree and choose from a limited list of trees of similar size! Those are the rules! Thanks all. You've be very kind to share your thoughts and knowledge.
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
first.. i would have the tree inspected.. to determine if the part leaning towards the house.. has any potential to fall on the house ... birch is not the strongest of wood trees for hanging over houses ...

i dont have any idea.. why you would pic up leaves to mow.. why not mow them??? .. but i digress ...

do not substantially add soil on top of tree roots ... and adding good soil.. will only make the tree grow feeder roots into good soil ...

if you are interested in hosta.. ask the same ??? in the hosta forum ... i am not sure birch is a hosta friendly tree ... seems to me.. mine are very surface rooted ...

frankly ... i would just round up the grass.. add mulch to a settled height of 3 inches.. and plant in spring ...

i would dig hole.. insert bare root plant.. and fill with the soil removed..

i would broadcast all water.. and fert ..

i learned to NEVER water just the plants.. or that is were the tree will grow new feeder roots.. since you cut all the roots to dig the hole ...

see you in the hosta forum ...

ken
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
Things which will grow under birch (i.e. dryish shade) ferns, hardy cyclamen, hellebores, ferns, bleeding hearts, Japanese anemones.
drc215
Original Author
9 years ago
Ken, not picking up leaves, my yard is a leaf haven, raking...what is that! Picking up branches that the tree decides to shed every week, worse we have had a lot of big wind storms this summer. I think you are right about not adding any kind of soil, just roundup and mulch and plant in spring, water and fert the entire area. My first concern was not killing the tree, despite the mess it causes I really like it. I will post this ? in the hosta forum.

Floral, I see so many pictures of birches with hostas planted under them. (I have been researching this project for over a month now, spreadsheets...pictures...plot drawings... I am now dreaming about hostas). I guess I would be disappointed not to be able to plant hostas.

Thanks!!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
drc215 - I would love to plant hostas if they survived the gastropod onslaught in my garden. This is how they end up. (And this one is planted in a three foot tall container).
drc215
Original Author
9 years ago
Floral, nasty creatures! I don't have a problem with them...yet (knocking on wood). I do have moles, voles and gophers! Maybe the moles are eating the slugs...I could let them stay if that is the case. But the voles and those cute chipmunks have to go!
wisconsitom
9 years ago
I have no doubt your plan will work. And as far as the kill-off of the existing turf-most likely a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass/fescues here in the north-I like the suffocation method just as well as glyphosate, although I'd rather see this thirsty tree being able to get all the moisture that falls on its rootzone area between now and shade garden time. Plus, having sprayed a ton and a half of Roundup and/or its many offspring, I'd probably just do that, following with a light top-dressing of compost, then actual mulch. You should be good to go.

+oM
drc215
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks +oM - appreciate your input!

Planting under a birch

Comments (9)

dbarron

drc215
Original Author

Related Discussions

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

drc215
Original Author

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

drc215
Original Author

wisconsitom

drc215
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Planting under a birch

Comments (9)

dbarron

drc215Original Author

Related Discussions

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

drc215Original Author

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

drc215Original Author

wisconsitom

drc215Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

drc215
Original Author

drc215
Original Author

drc215
Original Author

drc215
Original Author