On Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:04:48 +0000, Jeßus wrote:

Hi All,

I have a couple of young Silver Birch trees, still in pots.

After doing a search, I'm still not completely sure of what spacing I
should use when planting... I'd like to plant one either side of my main
front gate (I'm on acreage in Tasmania).

Plenty of sites state that max size is around 20m high x 10m wide, and
that the tree is "short lived". I'm not sure what their definition of
"short lived" is though? Also, approximately how many years are we
talking about when it comes to reaching full size?

I figure if the trees take 10-20 years to get near full mature size,
that I could plant them a bit closer, and I'd have plenty of time to
prune/ train branches away so they don't reduce clearance through the
gate.

So... what spacing would be best under the circumstances? They will have
full sunlight, the soil is pretty good, well drained with plenty of
organic matter (but I don't know the PH as yet).

I have plenty of compost, chook poo and a bag of dynamic lifter
available to feed the trees. I want to provide optimal conditons for
growth, so if there is anything else I should add, I'd be interested to
know.

I suspect that some of the local critter might find the young foliage
tempting, so plan use stakes & chicken mesh for protection.

Having only known tropical horticulture, I'm on a bit of a crash course
learning all about temperate zone trees and plants in general... thanks
for any help.

I settled on 3.5m spacing...

---------------------------------
Betula pendula 'Fastigiata'
Family: Betulaceae.
Landscape value: An adaptable, columnar birch with a silvery-white
trunk and contorted, twisted branches creating an interesting effect in
winter. Betula pendula 'Fastigiata' is suitable as a specimen tree for
landscape effects or for use in areas where lateral space is limited.
Height: 11 metres.
Width: 4 metres.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Habit: Columnar, fastigiate, tending to be narrowly ovate when older.
The outer branches slightly incurve and intertwine.
Foliage: Bright green, triangular leaves with doubly serrate
margins. Butter yellow in autumn.
Flowers: Small flowers borne in catkins. Male and female flowers
are separate on the same plant (monoecious).
Fruit: Small winged nutlets borne in a pendulous 'cone' (a strobilus)
that sheds in autumn.
Bark: Ornamental, papery white bark that exfoliates in sheets. Becoming
black fissured on the lower trunk when older.
Tolerances: Prefers a moist, well drained soil, but will tolerate
relatively wet or dry positions. Adaptable to varied pH values.
Comments: If pruning is required, it should be carried out in late
summer or early autumn, as pruning in late winter or early spring causes
the tree to 'bleed' excessively.