Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Repairing Wounded Birch Trees
Repairing Wounded Birch Trees. Birch bark, wood, and branches are notoriously susceptible to injury, because their bark is naturally thin and papery and their wood is naturally soft. Birch trees wounded by storm winds, snow, ice or hail may be in big trouble. Once a wound occurs, there are a few things you can do immediately to help it heal....
Birch bark, wood, and branches are notoriously susceptible to injury, because their bark is naturally thin and papery and their wood is naturally soft. Birch trees wounded by storm winds, snow, ice or hail may be in big trouble. Once a wound occurs, there are a few things you can do immediately to help it heal. Long-term improvement of cultural practices will also help it recover, and prevent diseases and insects from further weakening the tree.
Things You'll Need
Pruning saw
Pruning shears
Sharp knife
10-10-10 fertilizer
Mulch
Assess the wounds on the birch tree to determine whether it's worth saving, A tree split down the middle won't survive, nor will a birch tree with a trunk with bark that is cut all the way around. On the other hand, a split crotch, broken branches and some types of holes can be repaired.
Remove broken branches at the trunk of the birch. For branches less than 2-and-1/2 inches in diameter, use pruning shears. Angle the shear blades at 45 degrees, cutting down and away from the trunk. Leaving a short, angled stub will allow moisture to drain off and the tree will heal faster.
Remove broken limbs larger than 2-and-1/2 inches in diameter with a pruning saw, using the three-cut method. Make the first cut 12 inches from the trunk, halfway through the branch, starting at the underside. Make the second cut an inch away, halfway through from the top side. The branch will snap of its own weight as you cut. Make the third cut all the way through the branch at the trunk, as in Step 2.
Trim torn bark and the edges of holes with a sharp knife. Angle the knife sharply in a shaving motion, leaving torn edges smooth.
Help the tree heal by strengthening its environment. Fertilize once a year in early spring with a 10-10-10 fertilizer, following the directions on the package for the size and age of the tree. Spread a 3-foot ring of mulch, 2 to 4 inches deep, starting 6 inches from the trunk to suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature and hold moisture in the soil.
Water the wounded birch to keep soil moist at least 6 inches below the ground line, but not enough to make the soil soggy. Watering helps the tree support new growth, utilize fertilizer and helps the tree resist diseases that infect weakened trees.
