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

I bought a Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) last spring and it has went through one year of a very hot summer, and this year it's looking great as well, growing fast also. But Japanese beetles will tear it to shreds the next couple of months (June and July). Japanese beetles love all birches, and definitely Gray Birches.

Was the soil moist where you poked holes 1.5 feet into the ground? It's not unusual to put down several gallons of water, feel the top few inches of soil which is moist, and assume that sufficient water went deeper where it is needed. There is a tool that has been recommended on this forum that enables you to water the roots. It's called the ROSS Professional Root Feeder. I've not used it so I can't review it. Pam

where are you .... and can we have a pic of the situation ... if there are a lot of roots.. it might be hard to garden under the clump .. .not only due to digging problems ... but also water competition with the trees aggressive root competition ... otherwise.. just get a hand trowel.. sharpen it a bit.. and sit down out there .. and start digging up the grass ... in the alternative.. something like round up could give you a head start ... to repeat.. i would not try to garden too close to the trunks .... pic plz ... ken