Thank your question.

Hennepin County is an excellent location for planting a pillar birch (Betula platyphylla). In selecting a variety, choose one that is cold hardy. This minimizes stress, which is the main trigger for birch decline and leaf borer issues. Look for one of the following two varieties. Both should be available at any of the large greenhouses/gardening centers that are in the Metro Area. They should be in stock at this time of the year (late April 2026)

1). Dakota Pinnacle Birch. It has an extremely upright / narrow form. It is rated for growing zones 3 and 4. This is a perfect match your current growing zone. At maturity it is between 525 to 30 feet tall with w width of about 10 feet. See:

https://www.ndsuresearchfoundation.org/files/pdf/Hort PDFs/dakota_pinnacle_asian_white_birch.pdf

2). Parkland Pillar. This is very similar to Dakota Pinnacle. Sometimes it is known as “Betula platyphylla ‘Jefpark’”. If you can’t find a Dakota Pinnacle, this would be a great second choice. See:

(https://northerngardener.org/parkland-pillar-birch/)

See the following for general information regarding planting and care:

https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs

https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/na/NA-FR-02-97.pdf

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs

https://bachmans.com/information/resource-hub/birch-tree-care

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/birch-leafminers

These are great trees. Their life span can be over 30 years. The last site above deals with leaf miners. This is a common but not fatal pest of birch trees. I have been battling them for years on my river birches.

Good luck. Please get back to us with any additional questions. Thanks for consulting us.