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Birch tree not flowering so well high up

orbisonhuntorbisonhunt Posts: 2
in Plants

imageimage

Just wondering if anyone can help at all?

We have a silver birch, approx 15-18ft that we managed to get our hands on it when we moved to our new build property as it was left over by the site etc. it has been in almost two years and the leaves have come out bushy at the top until this spring.

The base has a branch growing off from it which I have shown in the pictures, these leaves are full. The top had leaves like this last year.

I had some fake grass left over and placed this over the base but I was hoping this would work as a mulch, which does appear to be working. I was also wondering are the nutrients going into the lower branch which has full leaves etc. could this be our problem?

I am a garden novice so any advice please as we love this tree especially with the fact we saved it.

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,504

    Can water get through the fake grass? 

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    This tree is in trouble. Look after the bit at the bottom, this might be your future tree.

    Transplanting mature trees is tricky, you always lose some root leaving less to support all that top growth.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • orbisonhuntorbisonhunt Posts: 2

    Hi, yes water can get through the grass.

    When you say it's in trouble do you think it is reversible?? Is there any hope with getting some leaves showing this year........although some branches are dead.

    thanks

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    tbh, I don't think it's reversible. But see what others think



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,905

    Words like 'new build' make me think of little if any topsoil left in the garden with its resultant poor growing capacity for anything planted into it. You will know the state of the soil under the fake grass. I'm not sure about the 'fortress' of stones around the base of the tree either. These can only add to compaction around the roots depriving them of oxygen - which roots do need - and possible restriction of any nutrients getting to the roots when you feed the tree until it settles in. I share the same thoughts as nutcutlet on the survival of the top section of the tree.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601

    Just a thought. Have you had strong, cold winds blowing recently? If so, that might account for the top growth. I'd take away those stones and leave a circle of clear soil round the base and mulch with some proper muck, too.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Agree about the stones but didn't want to be too criticalimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
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