I personally find that The Sunset Western Garden Book is a must have guide to refer to before I plant anything that I am not familiar- The Western Garden Book recommends regular watering and well drained soil for Birch trees.

Additionally, an interesting note to point out is that a tree or plants name can often give a hint to it’s preferences, such as the Birch tree, who has several ‘common names’ depending upon the variety, such as Water Birch, River Birch and Canoe Birch- all names which clearly suggest water, rather than drought resistance.

While Birch trees have a shallow root system and prefer to be planted in an area where their roots will be shaded, it is not generally recommended to plant them in a lawn as they not only steal water away from the lawn, but their surface roots can, and often do, run rampant, taking over a healthy lawn as well as lawn watering does not typically provide the deep watering that trees generally prefer.

In trying to accommodate the fluctuating water needs in the garden, Utopic Gardens typically installs a valve solely for trees, with adjustable ‘Bubbler’ emitters, to allow for not only monitoring the watering schedule but to differentiate the  watering requirements of trees from landscaped areas.

An excellent position for a birch tree in the landscape would be either on the East or North side of the home, where it can receive afternoon shade from the building, rather than hot afternoon heat that can dry and heat up the soil around its roots. Also take into account, while looking for the perfect position for your Birch tree, any existing overhangs and overhead power lines, which may hamper future growth and require drastic and unsightly pruning, ruining the trees graceful appearance and opening wounds, to invite pests, to which some Birch trees are susceptible.  Lastly, Birch trees are not the best selection for planting over a patio or along a driveway, as they all are susceptible to Aphids that drip sticky honeydew.

In summery, the Birch tree is sure to provide you with up to 40-50 years of easy, graceful beauty and wonderful yellow autumn color, if planted in well drained soil, with shaded roots and given regular watering.

I would take, what little change I had, and while my friends used their money to buy candy, I would purchase little 99 cent plants from the neighborhood florist and I cared for many of those plants until I was grown and had my first apartment.

I remember scratching in the dry dirt, during the 70′s drought, to plant a vegetable garden and worrying, while at school, that it would not remain moist until I returned at the end of the day! While young, I had no idea that I would become a landscaper, but looking back, the ‘writing was on the wall!’

On the other side of the Planet in Iran, Ash was having a similar experience; his Mother once called a ‘Plant Doctor’ to the house to check the vitality and condition of their houseplants. The whole family attended the visit with much enthusiasm and dressed for the occasion!  Ash followed their gardener around, from a very young age, asking questions and ‘apprenticing’ the gentleman as he was allowed at the age of five.

Once an old and diseased tree, but a favorite of Ash’s, was cut down while he was away at school. When he arrived home to the news, he desperately grabbed a limb from the remaining pile and rushed off to plant it somewhere on the property- Ash recently visited his old home and saw that that limb had growing into a beautiful 30′ arching tree and is alive and well today!

About thirteen years ago, Ash realized that the connection to the earth, that he had as a child, was missing in his adult life and started taking Horticulture classes.  I had my own small landscape maintenance business at the time and when we met (as neighbors) ten years ago- our same passion for plants, landscaping and artistry blossomed into Utopic Gardens and has allowed us the wonderful opportunity to create unique, artistic and beautiful landscapes together ever since!