- 1). Pick a location for your birch tree. Typically birches can grow to be as tall as 50 feet, so choose a place that is well away from power lines and the roof of your home. They also prefer an area that receives full to partial sun.
- 2). Check the pH and quality of the soil in the location where you plan to plant the tree. Proper soil quality is one of the single most important factors in keeping your birch tree healthy. Birches prefer a pH of 5.0 to 6.5, and thrive in soils that stay moist, even through the summer months. Additionally, they do well in soils that are not compacted. You can check the soil pH using a kit from a home and garden store. Alternatively, some garden stores may be willing to check a sample for you for free.
- 3). Loosen the soil where you plan to plant the tree. Do this for an area that is as deep as the root ball and about five times the diameter of the roots. Dig a hole at the center of the loosened area, and place the tree in it. Cover the roots with soil and water thoroughly. If the tree is small, tie the trunk to a stake placed a few inches away.
- 4). Cover the area surrounding the tree with mulch. For young trees, cover an area around the tree that is about three feet in radius. For older trees, increase the radius to six feet. Use wood chips, shredded bark or leaf compost. Apply the mulch so that it does not come in direct contact with the base of the tree, and at a depth of about two to four inches. Don't use a plastic covering under the mulch, as this will dry out the soil and reduce the flow of oxygen. Apply fresh mulch around your tree whenever you notice that the old mulch has deteriorated.
- 5). Water your tree often. If you are receiving adequate rainfall (about once a week), then you may be able to fore go watering. However, you should water your birch whenever you're not getting this amount of a rain. Generally, if you can form the soil around the tree into a ball, then the soil is damp enough for your birch. However, if the soil crumbles to the touch, then you need to water.
- 6). Check your tree frequently for an increase in brown, dead leaves or sparse and unhealthy foliage. The former is a sign of leafminer, a common pest for birches. The latter is a sign of bronze birch borer, which can actually kill your tree. If you see either of these two signs, you can apply pesticides to take care of the problem.
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