I understand the allure of the Birch and, when I was in the states tried a few as Bonsai. Then realized there was a reason why you never see one as Bonsai. Sorry but true, they just don't cut it. Leaf size is almost impossible to reduce so, on a smaller sized tree it looks strange. They, like wild cherry, are just one big pest magnet, every pest and desiese loves to attack them and will. Of course you can always begin again because even the tree dies it will put out suckers. Sorry to bust your bubble, you may have it a few years but that's about it. Bob

Great photo ! I would love to have a small grove of these beautiful white barked trees.

recent transplant can be delayed... but w/o a pic.. how can we really tell .. and even a pic might not help give it another month.. and find out ken

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