How to Take Care of River Birch Trees

River birch trees have bark that peel during winter.

River birch trees are a type of birch tree that grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. They grow natively in the southern U.S., along the Atlantic coast, in the Mississippi River Valley and in the lower Midwest. The trees have peeling bark that sometimes has an orange color, and their deciduous leaves change color during the fall. As their name suggests, river birch trees grow well in moist soils, like those near rivers.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears or hand saw
• Soil testing kit
• Sulfur or other acidic soil additive (optional)

Instructions

1. Prune the trees to remove dead branches. Gardeners can prune dead branches off of river birch trees during any time of the year and should remove them to avoid messy, falling debris.

2. Prune the trees to shape them, remove damaged branches, thin the trees out or remove crossing branches during the trees' dormant season, which is from late summer to midwinter. Cut branches and twigs at their bases or just above a forking spot to avoid unsightly stubs.

3. Test the soil pH around the trees using an at-home soil testing kit or by sending a soil sample to a lab for testing. River birch trees prefer somewhat acidic soils, but alkaline soils can cause iron deficiency disease.

4. Add an acidic soil additive, such as sulfur, to fix the pH of an alkaline or neutral soil. Gardening stores sell additives designed to make soil more acidic.

Tips & Warnings

• The U.S. Forest Service recommends planting birch trees in areas with relatively cool soil that still get sun during most of the day. Birch trees grow well on the northern or eastern sides of a home because they receive some shade during the strongest afternoon sun while still receiving light throughout the day.

References

• U.S. Forest Service; How to Grow and Maintain a Healthy Birch Tree; Steven Katovich, et al.
• Arbor Day Foundation: Birch, River
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry: River Birch
• Clemson University Cooperative Extension; River Birch; Debbie Shaughnessy, et al.; May 1999
• National Gardening Association: Understanding Lawn Fertilizers