Paper Birch

Dear Stan,

We want to plant a clump of three Paper Birch trees in a new landscape site, in the city of Calgary. When is the best time to transplant the Paper Birch tree? We will likely get the tree from a local nursery. Also are there any precautions or things I should be aware of in the selection of the tree and the transplanting?

Ron

Ron.. Greetings to Calgary... Birch at the best of times are single-minded and resist transplanting. As you know, they are shallow rooted and require an alkaline soil that can be amended with peat moss to retain the moisture level. Nursery grown stock is the best, and would not consider removing a native tree from one environment to an opposing different location... especially birch. If and when you visit the nursery, ask how long the tree has been in the container: and if for only one season try to obtain a tree that has at least 2 to 3 years in the pot. Preparation of the site is important; dig out and save at least 3 times the volume of soil the pot contains. Mix the peat at 1 part to 3 parts soil with an addition of 1 cup of dolomite lime and the same of bone meal. Remove the pot and soak the tree root ball in the appropriate mix of Laters Root Booster for 1 minute. Transplant and firm the mix as you add the soil. DON'T pack the soil so as to retard air and water. Stake in position. Water once weekly until you see happy growth. Sad growth shows as wilting when the soil is moist. When your days are hot, spray over the leaves with hose water to minimize stress.

Take care...