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Birch in hot climates

alexrossialexrossi Posts: 3
in Plants

hi people, my name is alex. i would like to ask you a question about birches: is there a variety/cultivar that can grow in hot climates? i like this tree very very much but i live in an 11a hardiness zone, while birches (at least from what i read) seem to tolerate up to a 9 hardiness zone. 

is there a chance that at least a river birch can survive in my area, maybe with some precaution? 

thanks in advance for your reply.

 

Posts

  • PAT 9PAT 9 Posts: 23

    Give it a go  - try to plant where the roots are in the shade with plenty of mulch in the planting hole and give it gallons of water every week, even when eventually mature.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,937

    Hi alex - where are you that's so nice and warm?

    I spotted this on Wiki-

    Betula nigra, or river birch, is recommended for warm-climate areas

    Maybe worth a look


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • alexrossialexrossi Posts: 3

    i'm in sicily, coastal area.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,937

    Very nice too.

    Mind you it 17c outside at the mo here is essex,uk - not very November-like

    The Wiki says that the birch I mentioned above is the most tolerant of heat - have a look the the variety Betula Dura-Heat, may be worth a try.

    Most of the leaves have now fallen from the sliver birches that abound round here, but it's been a great autumn for stunning colours.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • alexrossialexrossi Posts: 3

    ok, thank you both very much. i think i'll give this dura-heat a chance. do you happen to know where i could buy it (inside European union)? i can't seem to find anything but u.s. sellers on google. 

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,937

    From what I've briefly read, Beutla nigra Heritage has a similar heat tolerance and google did show many uk suppliers


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645

    Birch trees grow very well in cool, damp climates and don't like being dry at their feet so I suspect you're on a hiding to nothing trying to grow one in Sicily, even if you plant it next to a stream that never dries out.

    I assume you' like it for the bark which can be pale white or pink or brown depending on the variety.  I would suggest a eucalyptus which is far better suited to the heat of Sicily and won't need constant watering.  Some of them have very attractive bark in colours similar to birch.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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