Q&A for How to Grow Birch Trees

In the U.S., they grow best in the northern, cooler climates from Alaska all the way to Maine. They only extend south to around Virginia and Oregon.

With a quick growth of about 1.5 feet a year, it only takes about 20 years for the tree to reach 30-40 feet in height.

In the wild, they live for about 80-140 years old, while the cultivated variety only lives 30-40 years.

There are about 40 different species of birch trees, each with slightly different characteristics.

It depends on the species, but typically anywhere from 90 - 120 days is good. Try some at 90 days, and others at 100 and 120. Vermiculite has been my best medium for stratification, as it's the most sterile one. Using multiple Ziploc bags inside one another provides better mold protection. Plan to stratify at a temperature of 34 - 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

It depends upon the type of birch tree, but they can grow anywhere from 13 inches (33 cm) to 24 inches (61 cm) in one growing season.

It depends upon your climate. If it's a cold climate, go with a paper, white, or silver birch. For a warmer climate, choose a river birch.

You should plant your trees separately, as long as they get the same amount of sunlight and water. If you want to plant them together, make sure there is enough space between each of them for each to grow to their biggest.

Zone 8 is a warmer climate, so opt for a river birch tree, which does well in hot temperatures.

Yes, they should produce seed pods every year after their first year. Look for slender, soft pinecone-type growths at the ends of the branches.

If you gathered them in March they may no longer be viable, but you can always try. Place them in a small container with some soil and compost, water them, and put the container in a sunny windowsill. If they're going to germinate at all, it should happen within a week or so.

It should be under the sunlight. Your tree will require lots of sunlight when it gets bigger, so keep it out of the shade.

You can, though it is recommended that you plant it in an a new spot with soil that has more/better nutrients.

It depends how deep the bite is, and how sharp the teeth were. Try growing it for another 3 months, and if that doesn't work, it's not worth it.

Dakota pinnacle birch trees are adaptable to both dry and moist soil. Just try to find a spot that has decent drainage.

If you're concerned about the tree falling over, stake it until the top grows straight on its own. But remove the stakes after a few months since trees become hardier when not staked.

Depending on how big your birch tree is, you may or may not be able to fix its lean. If it’s thin and flexible, you can place a pole or stake in the ground with a rope around the tree to pull it, but put a foam type tape around the piece of rope that touches the tree, because the rope will scrape the bark off and that is not healthy for the tree. You also said your birch is around 20 feet tall, so it’s probably too big to straighten. If it’s too big, you can use this method on another tree in the future before it gets too big.