The peeling bark and polished stems of many trees bring beauty to the garden at any time of the year, but are never more apparent than during the winter. Birches (Betula), especially from the Himalayas, have bark in a variety of textures and shades of colour from dazzling white to milky-cream and bronze-pink to coppery-brown. Whether grown as a specimen tree in a lawn or planted in groups, they are a delight during winter months.
Grow in low to moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light dappled shade. Birches are adaptable trees and generally tolerant of exposed and windy sites, dry or wet conditions and even waterlogging.
Peeling
Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants.
bark is often an attractive feature of birch. Removing some of the tatty loose bark wont do any harm but it is best not to get too carried away otherwise it can damage the living tissues just below the surface.
Some gardeners might also wish to clean some of the green algae off the main bit of trunk with a soft cloth in winter to make the most of the attractive white or coloured bark. This practise is harmless to the tree and the algae will quickly return but avoid disturbing lichens and mosses on outlying branches which are a valuable part of a gardens ecosystem.
When pruning is required, prune only when fully dormant from late summer to before mid-winter. Birches bleed heavily at all other times, particularly in late winter.
The royal frost birch tree (Betula ‘Royal Frost’) is a popular variety known for its striking white bark and attractive red-purple foliage. However, like all trees, it can be susceptible to certain problems if not properly cared for In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common issues royal frost birch trees face and how to prevent them.
Bronze Birch Borer
One of the most notorious pests of birches is the bronze birch borer. This insect larva bores into the bark of stressed or damaged trees, disrupting nutrient flow and eventually killing branches or the entire tree. Evidence of borer damage includes D-shaped exit holes in the bark and cracked, peeling bark.
To prevent borers, keep your royal frost birch healthy with proper siting, watering, and fertilization. Avoid wounding the bark with lawn mowers or trimmers You can apply preventative systemic insecticides labeled for birch borer control If you spot an infestation early, you may be able to save the tree by cutting out affected wood and treating with insecticide. But once damage is extensive, the tree often cannot be saved.
Leaf Spot Diseases
Royal frost birch is prone to several foliar diseases, including leaf spots caused by fungi. These diseases manifest as small brown or black spots on the leaves, sometimes with yellowing halos. Severe infections can defoliate the tree.
Leaf spot fungi thrive in warm, humid conditions. To prevent them, choose a site with good air circulation and morning sun to dry foliage quickly after rain or irrigation. Avoid overhead watering. Rake up and destroy fallen leaves to remove spores from the area. Apply appropriate fungicides at the first sign of infection. Ensure proper tree spacing to allow air movement between canopies.
Aphids
Like many trees, royal frost birch is vulnerable to infestations of sap-sucking aphids. These tiny insects cluster on young shoots and the undersides of leaves, extracting plant fluids. Their feeding causes curled, stunted leaves and sticky honeydew drippings. Sooty mold may follow, coating leaves in dark fungus.
Check birch trees frequently for aphid colonies. Knock them off with a strong spray of water, or apply insecticidal soap. Ladybugs and other beneficial insects help control light infestations naturally. You can also use aphid-targeting systemic insecticides applied as soil drenches or trunk injections. Be sure to get complete coverage of the foliage.
Environmental Stress
Royal frost birch thrives in cool climates and may decline in hot, humid southern regions, becoming vulnerable to borers and disease. Prevent stress by choosing the appropriate USDA Plant Hardness Zone and giving the tree consistent water during dry periods. Mulch and shade the root zone, which prefers cool, moist conditions. Avoidcompacted soil, drought, overwatering, and damage to the bark and roots.
Trunk and Branch Damage
The papery white bark of royal frost birch is delicate and easily injured by mechanical wounds, sunscald, animal feeding, and improper pruning cuts. Wrap young trunks to prevent winter damage. Paint wounds and pruning cuts with tree sealant. Cover bark with tree guards if deer or rodents are a problem. Hire an ISA Certified Arborist to properly prune branches without tearing the bark.
By selecting suitable growing conditions and providing attentive care, you can help prevent problems and keep your royal frost birch healthy and thriving for years of beauty. Be vigilant for signs of pests or diseases and take prompt action at the first indication. With its graceful form and multi-season appeal, this elegant tree is worth the effort to maintain.
To create a multi-stemmed birch:
- Choose a young plant (less than 1m/3¼ft tall) and cut back either close to ground level (but not less than 8cm or 3in), or to about 30-60cm (1-2ft) from the ground
- Make the cut horizontal and trim the wound so there are no rough edges; the cut stimulates dormant buds which should shoot strongly the following year
- After a year or two, restrict the number of main stems by selecting three to five strong, well-spaced shoots and cutting out any weak or surplus shoots to the base
- Do not be in a hurry to clear the stems of lower branches until the main stems are growing strongly
Some nurseries and garden centres will supply multi-stemmed birches ready pruned and trained for planting. However, by planting two or three young plants in the same planting hole you can achieve the same results. If they are sapling size (up to 1m/3¼ft tall) they should need no staking and you will have more control over the placing and arrangement of the stems.
Birch species can be propagated from seed sown fresh in the autumn or kept refrigerated over winter for sowing in February;
- Seed has relatively short-term viability so avoid old seed
- Named cultivars will not come true from seed
- Sow thinly on the surface of the compost or cover very lightly
- Germinate at 10-15°C (50-59°F)
- Pot on when two leaves have developed and continue to pot on to prevent a check in growth. In this way it is possible to get a tree 1.2m (4ft) tall by the end of June
Named cultivars are propagated from cuttings or by grafting. Neither technique is particularly easy for the amateur. Commercial nurseries regard a 50% strike (successful rooting) rate as good for cuttings.
- Softwood cuttings up to 15cm (6in) are taken from mid-spring to early summer
- Using a rooting compound and insert into a free-draining cuttings compost and cover with a plastic film tent to minimize moisture loss (commercial nurseries would use mist systems)
- Provide bottom heat of 18-24°C (64-75°F)
- Rooting should occur in 6-10 weeks. Feed regularly once rooted to ensure strong growth
- Keep slightly dry over winter and pot in the following spring
Birches can be grafted from late winter to early spring onto Betula pendula rootstock or, in the case of incompatibility, B. nigra.
Birches tend to establish quickly and make rapid growth for the first 12-15 years. This will give a feeling of maturity to even relatively new gardens.
For more ideas on choosing birch and where to buy them, see our RHS Find a Plant.
What is a Royal Frost Birch Tree?
FAQ
How do you take care of a royal frost birch tree?
Keep the tree consistently moist and consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed.
What are the disadvantages of birch trees?
Perhaps the biggest drawback to Birch is there root system. They are native to regions near rivers and streams and as such do not ever develop a deep root system. Since this is the case, they seldom to never reach the water table and in periods of extreme drought are subject to death because of lack of available water.
What does a diseased birch tree look like?
Symptoms: Symptoms include irregular-shaped brown or black leaf spots, sunken tan to red-brown lesions on stems, and premature leaf drop. In severe cases, cankers can form on branches, and fruit can exhibit dark, sunken spots. Treatments: Remove and discard infected leaves and branches.
How fast does a royal frost birch grow?
It grows rapidly, adding 3 feet a year when young, and reaches 30 or 40 feet tall and about 20 feet wide.