Betula Nigra River Birch
The river birches bonsai are loved for their silhouette and charm, but it is not easy to grow these trees in pots, initially. They normally live only for short periods, but some are known to have lived for nearly 300 years.
The characteristic white trunk that is present in other birch trees is absent in the river birches. The characteristic brown bark that peels off adds beauty and charm to this tree. The River birch grows to about 40 to 50 feet, though they are known to grow even up to 50 to 90 feet tall. They have a central leader that is small in diameter, with branches that are dark-colored, and which grow laterally.
The crown of the river birch is oval to a pyramid in shape and is narrow in size. The crown spreads as it ages, and certain branches are found to remain dominant.
The River birch is trained as a tree that is multi-stemmed or with a central leader. Though two to three trees may be planted together, the trunks never fuse together to form a strong or unified base. They are often grown as a single trunk tree.
The branches of this enchanting tree tend to hang down and should be pruned regularly when they are young. These trees are usually found in riverbeds along the river beds in Florida, right up to Massachusetts. However, they are also known to grow in dry soils.
Facts about Betula nigra
This is a spring-fruiting birch and is a native birch that is found in the southeastern coastal plain. This tree cannot grow under the shades of another tree, which makes it a pioneer in the colonization of new areas. It grows well near sources of water, like in riversides as the seeds germinate quickly. The seeds of this birch tree need a lot of moisture to grow, but they do not sustain during periods of flooding. The water that flows into the banks of rivers and recedes is enough for the seeds to germinate.
Yellow Catkins Betula Nigra
Distinguishing Features about the Betula nigra
Bark
The reddish-brown bark is smooth when the twigs are young but can become curly and begin to peel when they grow and mature. The color of the park can even be pinkish brown, yellowish-brown, and black to grey when they become shaggy.
Buds
Measuring ¼ inch in size, the buds are found to be small at the base while their tips are pointed and hairy.
Twigs
The twigs of this exquisite birch are warty and can seem rough. There may even be sparse hairs on these twigs, with a reddish-brown color.
Flowers
The male and the female flowers grow separately in the River birch species. However, they are found on the same tree, which is called monoecious. The male flowers are found to be slender, with catkins that hang down or droop. The female flowers are found to be conical and short, and existing as woolly clusters. The flowering season is between April-May and the flowers are inconspicuous.
Leaves
Coarsely toothed at the edges, the leaves of this birch tree are found to be simple and alternate. The shape of the leaves is triangular or oval, with a pointed tip. There are fine hairs that are present on the lower side of the leaves, mostly near the veins.
Fruits
The nuts that are found on the trees are also covered with fine hairs, with each fruit or nut consisting of three lobes. They are normally found in groups in groups of cones that are 1 ½ inch long. The dispersal of seeds from the birch trees usually occurs during the early summer months, and the dispersed seeds are found to germinate quickly.
How long does it take to grow a Betula nigra (River Birch) Bonsai?
Betula nigra (River Birch) bonsai trees grow at the rate of 36 inches per year, depending on the soil conditions and weather. A tall tree is indicative of a long period of growth.
Before providing details about the specific method required to grow and care for a Betula nigra, here are some basic facts about ideal conditions required for optimum growth.
Ensure sufficient lighting:
This birch tree should be grown in partial shades but never in complete shade. Therefore, it is better to keep it outdoors than indoors. It should not be kept under bright and sweltering sunlight as it could result in a leaf burn.
Ensure ideal temperature:
This river birch is known to flourish in temperatures that exist in Florida. So, they will need protection when the weather is very cold. The excessive cold could result in the twigs dying.
Providing water to the River birch:
This tree is known to grow in areas that have plenty of water. The seeds need a lot of moisture to grow. They need plenty of water when grown in pots till the leaves begin to grow well. After that, they can be watered once every two weeks.
How to Plant and Grow the River birch bonsai?
The River birch, which belongs to the family Betulaceae, is a striking tree that is sought after as a bonsai. Here are the details about how to grow them as a bonsai. The first step to remember is to plant the seeds during summer.
Propagation: Propagation is primarily using seeds but grafting and cutting are other commonly used methods as well.
- Propagation using Cuttings: The step tip may be cut during early summer from mature softwood and planted in a pot. Periodic mists of water may be provided. 8000 PPM of rooting hormone IBA TALC may be added for optimal growth.
- Propagation using seeds: The best time to sow the seeds is in summer. The seeds should ideally be pre-treated at 40 degrees F for a period of 2 months. It will take 4 to 6 weeks for germination, and the ideal temperature is 70-85 degrees F.
The seedbed should be kept moist at all times. The seedlings should be placed under shade during the first summer, for a period of 2 to 3 months.
- Propagation using Grafting: The best time to carry out a cleft graft is in summer,
Soaker hoses and bark mulches can be used to ensure that the roots remain moist and cool.
Pruning:
The leaves on the river birch leaves are found to reduce significantly to a size that is about 1 1/4 inches. The eaves could get even smaller than this.
These trees do not give rise to a lot of bleeding when they are prunes. This makes them different from the other species of river birch trees. Since they do not bleed excessively, they are ideal as bonsai plants.
The pruning should be carried out at the start of the second internode. This method of pruning upward helps in ensuring that the foliage grows away from the tree trunk. The structure of the branches will remain open with the leaves growing parallel to the trunk of the tree.
Wiring:
When wiring the Betula nigra, caution should be exercised as the bark could be affected. The tree has been found to sucker from the roots. Such roots should be removed as they can remove the vigor of the main trunk and affect the growth of the plant as a bonsai.
Repotting:
This is a crucial step while growing the Betula nigra as a bonsai tree. The trees should be repotted as long as they are younger than 10 years. The repotting should be done once every two to three years.
Older trees can be repotted as and when they are found to need the exercise. The repotting is usually carried out during the months of spring. This procedure should be carried out before the buds burst.
The soil used for repotting should be acidic and should be rich in nutrients.
Follow Regular watering schedule:
There should be a regular watering schedule as the tree needs to be watered before it runs dry. Care should be taken to provide sufficient water, especially during dry weather.
The soil should remain moist for the tree to flourish but it should drain well. There should be no stagnant water, and the soil should be slightly acidic.
How to Care for your Betula Nigra Bonsai
The moisture content of the soil can be measured effectively using a moisture meter, and the reading from this meter can be used to ensure a sufficient watering schedule. This process should be carried out regularly, after which, it will become easy to understand when the tree needs water.
There may be times when the tree may need less water too. So, it is important to note the signs and give appropriate amounts of water.
The leaves should be checked periodically for evidence of being scorched by the sun, especially during hot summer months. The trees that are not watered well will be susceptible to intense leaf burns that can affect the growth and vitality of the tree. Ensure that the watering schedule is adjusted to prevent this.
The dead branches should be pruned at regular intervals as the branches will tend to rub against each other during the late summer months. The shears used for pruning should be sharp and well sterilized.
Pests and Diseases:
The Betula nigra is not prone to attack by pests that can cause a lot of concern. In fact, these trees are resistant to a common pest, the bronze birch borer.
There are certain diseases that could affect this river birch, though. A common disease is the leaf spot disease, while chlorosis could occur in soils with a high Ph.
The Betula nigra is a wonderful bonsai plant that will bring immense joy and add to the beauty of the garden.