Planting new Birches next to an established one

thewittedwitchtliaJmwF · February 2023

Our garden has a Silver Birch of about 6m in one corner that I really wish was a multistem or a clump of three. I've searched and searched and I can't seem to find any information on planting new trees next to an established one - I'm wondering how close to the existing one I could sensibly add two more?

Failing that, are there any smaller trees that could be planted relatively close to give it some company in the vicinity? For some reason it really bothers me standing solo!

nick615 · February 2023

You may like to consider nature's way? Birch is one of those varieties that will create multi stems when pruned or cut down. Others are Chestnut, Alder, Hornbeam, etc. that feed new shoots off an established root system, once established. I think Silver Surfer may have the expertise to advise you further but this is the time of year when such trees can be cut to generate new shoots.

Fairygirl · February 2023

You often see groups of silver birch around a couple of metres apart, or even less, and it's certainly a very attractive spectacle. That gives the canopies enough room to still look good without causing problems, and it generally keeps them a bit smaller.
They can be pollarded, but it's much nicer if they have room to grow in their proper habit, and you often see butchered birches in gardens because they haven't been done properly. You'd need to pick fairly upright varieties - not the weeping ones, for example.
It will also depend on which variety you already have as it might look odd if they were all different.
I'm not sure you can make a multi stem birch from any tree though, but I may be wrong.
This isn't the time of year to do any pruning though as they bleed - it's usually autumn for that.

Busy-Lizzie · February 2023

I would just buy 2 more of the same sort and plant them. Trees in natural woodland seed themselves and grow next to others of their own kind. But leave enough room for each to grow and spread roots.

bédé · February 2023

Cut it down and let it sprout, might work. But a risk and at best a delay.

Do to have, or can you get, small seedling birch. I am not averse to taking a wild harvest, especially if no.one is about. Just plant where you want. They will grow fast.

If you want a more immediate affect, plant bigger trees. But be carefull not to damage the roots of the original.

Busy-Lizzie · February 2023

I've just read that you can plant them 1 - 3 metres apart to make a copse.

bédé · February 2023

If you are making a copse, then distance them. For a multi-stem effect youwould need them to be as close to the original trunk as possible. The smaller thenew plants, the closer you can plant them.

Fairygirl · February 2023

Have you considered making the tree a feature in it's own right ,with other planting around it @thewittedwitchtliaJmwF? Was it already there or did you plant it?
A single tree makes a nice specimen, but if it isn't 'perfect' or isn't pleasing in some way, some other planting will help set it off.
A photo would really help though - plus any other info you can offer as @pansyface mentioned earlier. The amount of room and any other buildings/trees/fences overhanging, or near it, will also affect what you do

thewittedwitchtliaJmwF · February 2023

This is amazing, thank you all so much for the advice and suggestions so far.

The current tree is a Silver Birch (not sure exactly which) , about 6m/20ft, and at least 8 years old - maybe approaching 10 - it was here when we moved in.

The garden is 10mx10m, but looks too short/wide because of the patio, so I'm always aiming to balance that a bit where possible. It's south facing, with the tree in the corner at the back where the north and west facing fences meet. We just have a triangle of wildflowers underneath it at the moment. The soil is clay (I'll add a photo - don't mind poor one-antlered Randolph!)

Also relevant - I only have a few years of gardening-by-googling and trial and (mostly!) error under my belt.

I'm not brave enough risk trying to multistem it, but I'm happy to be patient, so if some seedlings (or maybe 1m bare roots?) could be planted closest, that might be the answer.

I suppose my question is - when reading about planting distances for trees/birches, do the same guidelines apply even if they're not all planted at the same time? If so, I could try adding another 2 at the minimum of 1m apart to make a triangle of 3.

I assumed 3 of the same type of Silver Birch would have the best chance of getting along together, but would others be worth considering? I'd also gladly consider other planting suggestions for that corner.

Fairygirl · February 2023

I don't think there's room for more trees there - sorry. You'd compromise that one if you add more.
I'd opt for some other planting in front and beside it, to set it off properly.
You could also add some easy climbers on the fence, assuming it's yours to grow anything on.
Plenty of plants will grow in a semi shaded/shady site like that, so don't worry about plant choices. It pays to have as much seasonal interest as possible - from bulbs and early perennials for this time of year and into spring, bulbs, perennials and smaller shrubs from spring through summer, and late perennials and things like hardy cyclamen for autumn into winter, when the birch's bark will take centre stage

Fairygirl · February 2023

I've turned it to make it easier to see

Planting new Birches next to an established one

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