Here is a picture of my river birch. Here is a link that might be useful:

That sounds fantastic! I only have three little Heucheras and guard them like they are made of gold! In the Spring and Fall they do well, though, so hoping to see them bound in this cool weather we sudden;t are getting. Make sure you take pictures of your "river's" progress, with before , during and after pics so we can see the transformation. Your friend from far West over the rivers and across the prairie, ~Annie P.S. - you outta see my T. plant! It has doubled in size this week! Love the sweet little cherub-like leaves. I'll send you some pics.

I was just thinking the same thing! Oh, Joan you make me homesick. I grew up on a small lake in WI. I hadn't visited any of the photography forums in a while, I'm so glad to see that Joan you're still here posting those beautiful pics.

It will rebark itself for protection right? ==>>> are you asking if its genetically capable of surviving without your interference ... lol .. one would hope so ... e.g. bark of young maples is smooth ... maybe upwards of a decade ... but sooner or later.. and we always have to think in tree time ... the bark matures and changes ... it doesnt necessarily mean anything is wrong ... its not a great link.. but see the differences https://www.google.com/search?q=bark+of+young+maples&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjciu_bzP_NAhXix4MKHe4KBgYQ_AUICCgB&biw=968&bih=745&dpr=0.9 i am still wondering about being planted like a telephone pole.. and wonder how deep the root flare is ... another link ... https://www.google.com/search?q=bark+of+young+maples&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjciu_bzP_NAhXix4MKHe4KBgYQ_AUICCgB&biw=968&bih=745&dpr=0.9#tbm=isch&q=root+flare sooo ... my bottom line ... its not some hundred foot tree hanging over your house.. so no immediate need to do anything proactive.. unless you are interested enough to pull back some of that soil and grass around the trunk and find out about that ... but again .. in tree time.. it may or may not be an issue... within a decade or so ... ken