How can I help newly planted tree? - Ask Extension
I planted this river birch last summer. I followed planting protocol for a container tree and watered it as advised as well. I watered it a bit more s...
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How can I help newly planted tree? #877759
Asked July 18, 2024, 10:19 AM EDT
I planted this river birch last summer. I followed planting protocol for a container tree and watered it as advised as well. I watered it a bit more since we had a lack of rain last summer and fall.
There are branches that have struggled to leaf out. It seems slow to leaf out this summer. I had watered it in early spring as well due to lack of snow.
Can I help it in anyway now?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing. The trees appear a bit overwatered.
They need pruning of the dead branches and dead long tips of branches. https://myperfectplants.com/blogs/blog/how-to-prune-a-young-river-birch-tree
You goal is this kind of shape. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/river-birch-betula-nigra/#:~:text=River%20birch%20is%20a%20medium,pyramidal%20to%20upright%20oval%20form.
https://www.mehrabyannursery.com/growing-guide/shade-trees/the-complete-guide-to-a-river-birch-tree/
Given that this is a fast growing tree, it is important to prune properly from the start. An arborist could guide you through the process from the start and then return every couple years.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
They need pruning of the dead branches and dead long tips of branches. https://myperfectplants.com/blogs/blog/how-to-prune-a-young-river-birch-tree
You goal is this kind of shape. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/river-birch-betula-nigra/#:~:text=River%20birch%20is%20a%20medium,pyramidal%20to%20upright%20oval%20form.
https://www.mehrabyannursery.com/growing-guide/shade-trees/the-complete-guide-to-a-river-birch-tree/
Given that this is a fast growing tree, it is important to prune properly from the start. An arborist could guide you through the process from the start and then return every couple years.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
Hi - thank you for your help with pruning. I have a different trouble now, and hope you dont mind helping. My tree got attacked by a deer I think... the bark is damaged. It doesn't go completely around the little trunk. This just happened Wednesday. I put up a deer fence now. But I am wondering if there is anything I can do to help it repair itself. I see there is tree wrap that is sold and was wondering if that could be protective.
I have attached a picture.
Thank you,
Leslie Hanson
Thank you for writing back.
i need a picture of the undamaged bark area so that I can see how much is left.
i need a picture of the undamaged bark area so that I can see how much is left.
It does not go all the way around the trunk.
Thank you for writing back. One tree is a stump, it is not salvageable. The nearl completely girdled tree is not salvageable. I can not evaluate the third tree in image 8180 right side.
It is possible that if you cut the two non salveageable stumps to ground that they would throw a sucker off the roots that could be nurtured in a new tree. Otherwise, wait until spring before carefully digging them out.
Tree rutting is at its peak now.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/white-tailed-deer-damage#fencing-1880561
A cooment on your fencing. mice and chipmunks can go through it. It is not strong enough to protect against deer rutting. https://extension.umn.edu/central/protecting-plants-deer
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/uidaho-responsive/files/extension/topic/nursery/diseases/deer-antler-rubbing.pdf?la=en&rev=0b0ecd1a64c846869873f05f01e615d1
It is possible that if you cut the two non salveageable stumps to ground that they would throw a sucker off the roots that could be nurtured in a new tree. Otherwise, wait until spring before carefully digging them out.
Tree rutting is at its peak now.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/white-tailed-deer-damage#fencing-1880561
A cooment on your fencing. mice and chipmunks can go through it. It is not strong enough to protect against deer rutting. https://extension.umn.edu/central/protecting-plants-deer
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/uidaho-responsive/files/extension/topic/nursery/diseases/deer-antler-rubbing.pdf?la=en&rev=0b0ecd1a64c846869873f05f01e615d1
Thank you. I appreciate your help. Never had deer problems before. I will reassess.. and put up stronger fencing if it think the last trunk is worth salvaging.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
On Nov 9, 2024, at 2:07 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
