The yellow birch is prone to insects and diseases common to all birches, such as birch borers and root rot. You can avoid issues with your tree if you provide it with adequate care throughout its life. You can propagate yellow birches using cuttings or seeds to create uniformity in planting.
Light
Full sun is ideal, but if grown in a woodland landscape or near buildings, it can handle partial shade. Seedlings will not germinate in full shade.
Soil
The yellow birch will grow in soil with a wide-ranging pH, and while it tends to prefer slightly acidic soil, it tolerates alkaline soil well. The soil should be rich and well-drained. Sandy loam is ideal, but like other birch trees, the yellow birch is adaptable to varying soil conditions.
Water
The yellow birch doesn’t require watering beyond rainfall. In times of drought, however, it will benefit from a weekly deep watering at the roots.
Temperature and Humidity
Sandy loam is ideal, but like other birch trees, the yellow birch is adaptable to varying soil conditions. The yellow birch will grow in soil with a wide-ranging pH, and while it tends to prefer slightly acidic soil, it tolerates alkaline soil well. The soil should be rich and well-drained.
Fertilizer
A newly-planted yellow birch benefits from light fertilization. You may use liquid, granular, or stake fertilizers around the base of the tree, either applying into 6 inch deep holes or applying 2 pounds or 2 pints per 100 feet of soil.
Types of Yellow Birch
B. a. var. alleghaniensisB. a. var. macrolepisB. a. var. fallax
Pruning
Pruning is recommended to keep the tree in good health, but wait until after the growing season (late November through early December). The primary reason to wait for pruning is that the bronze birch borer is active in spring, may be drawn to fresh cuts on the tree, and can cause damage.
Propagating Yellow Birch
You can propagate the yellow birch using cuttings. Propagation helps create genetic uniformity in your trees and is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to buying new trees from a nursery. Here’s how to propagate a yellow birch:
How to Grow Yellow Birch From Seed
In addition to propagating, you may grow yellow birches from seeds.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The yellow birch is susceptible to insect infestations, mainly birch leaf miners, birch borers, and birch skeletonizers. Still, the tree is relatively resistant to insects, though it’s best to exercise caution and prune when its growth has gone dormant. Canker and dieback are the most common diseases to affect yellow birches. This fungus usually enters saplings through minor wounds and cracks, causing damage that weakens the stem and can lead to wind breakage.
Common Problems With Yellow Birch
Yellow birches can be affected by problems common to all birch trees. However, with attentive care, you can get ahead of issues that may damage the structural integrity of your birch and prevent the further spread of disease to surrounding trees.
Discoloration
Pruning wounds or root rot can lead to the discoloration of yellow birches. The discoloration can be seen in browned leaves or dark brown branches, limbs, and trunks. Under the discolored bark, you can sometimes see white fungus growth. Prune carefully to avoid wounds on your tree. While root rot is hard to prevent, remove the affected tree before the disease spreads to surrounding birches.
Decay
Like discoloration, decay is usually associated with wounds on a yellow birch. This is most common in wounds older than 20 years old, and frost cracks older than 10 years old. Pay careful attention to your tree’s health to prevent longstanding injuries, and prune dead branches as necessary. Healthy trees can usually heal wounds on their own.
