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Desperate to know how to identify
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Posted by woori Vic Aust (My Page) on Thu, Sep 23, 04 at 23:34
Hi,
I have planted from a seedling something that sprouted, amongst a dozen or so others, in a hanging pot, and which looked like a silver birch. The pot had been under silver birches for a few years, but prior to that it had hung under another tree - can't remember what type. It has grown so quickly that I am afraid it might be something more invasive, and as it is six feet away from our slab, it perhaps should be moved. How do I tell if it is a silver birch or not? The leaf looks the same as other birches in our garden. I had taken the seedling, when about 12" to 15", to a couple of nurseries but they were no help. It was at this stage that the underside of the leaf was furry. Two years later the tree is about 8' tall and growing fast. Perhaps this rate is normal for a silver birch planted at this size. They do tend to grow faster than when planted at 5' or so.
The only thing that worried me was the fact that on the mystery seedling the underside of the leaf was furry to the touch. I don't know if this is a silver birch thing in young plants which they outgrow, or is it simply not a silver birch thing. Can anyone help? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Desperate to know how to identify
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| I planted a group of three silver birch a few years ago. Unfortunately, they didn't grow fast enough and all have now succumbed to the drought. Perhaps I should have planted tube stock. This site, a comparison between silver birch and downy birch, has a fairly good description of the leaves and bark. It doesn't mention "furry" leaves but it may help in a positive identification. |
RE: Desperate to know how to identify
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| Did you manage to identify your little tree? |
RE: Desperate to know how to identify
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- Posted by woori Vic Aust (My Page) on
Thu, Oct 14, 04 at 19:16
| Thanks Wombat, but no. Nothing speaks of the furry underside of leaves, but I am still inclined to think that it is a silver birch. Apparently they do grow quite quickly. The leaves are now sprouting again, so I will take a photo when they are fully out and put on the web. From the sounds of the site you mentioned, which I had found earlier, it seems to indicate silver birch as well. Guess if worst comes to worst, we could cut it down, but that would be a waste if we could move it when young. Woori |
RE: Desperate to know how to identify
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- Posted by woori Vic Aust (My Page) on
Thu, Oct 21, 04 at 0:17
| It is a Silver Birch!! I have finally been able to purchase a tiny officially labeled Betula Spendula and it also has the furry underside to the leaf. Now the only disappointing thing is that I have thrown out about 15 perfectly good little trees for fear of planting something I would regret. Tube stock obviously grows far better than those a metre or so high. At least I now know that the one beside the house won't be carrying off our slab overnight. Woori |
RE: Desperate to know how to identify
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| Congratulations!! Both on your identification and on the fact that you grew it in the first place. In my previous garden I had a weeping birch and a silver birch and numerous attempts to grow either from seed failed. Any, in my compost rich garden, which sprouted all sorts of interesting babies, no birches emerged by themselves. |
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