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Silver birch and vegetable plot

thenewbiegardenerthenewbiegardener Posts: 3
in Problem solving

Hi to all, I have just joined and have a query. I have a new veg plot (42ft x 20ft and only just dug over in readiness to putting in a range of raised beds) and there is a 15ft high silver birch in the middle (which my husband is very attached too!!). I am so new to veg growing that I wonder how far away from this tree I can plant some veg, as a search on the net all points to never have a tree in your veg patch, but hubby will cry.

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,891

    They aren't exactly compatible. Silver birches have very shallow roots as anyone who has seen one get blown over will know.

    If you are having raised bed then the problem of roots will be less. But you will also have the rain shadow effect to think about and also the shade.

    Take a look at the shadow that the tree casts in summer and you will know where to avoid putting plants.image

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • thenewbiegardenerthenewbiegardener Posts: 3

    thank you for your advice, so appreciated. This moves me now to a second query - how do I move the silver birch, and do they dislike being moved? If I can I will as it will keep hubby so happy.

     

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,891

    Fifteen feet high with, I suppose, accompanying branches in all directions. 

    Too big to move in my opinion. But look on the bright side, a gale in 20 years' time will have it down.image

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,891

    Here is a little article about birches being moved for you to mull over.

    http://petrovskagarden.com/my-gardening-week-december-14th-2013-silver-birch-jacquemontii/

    Note that commercial growers dig up and replant trees which are not container grown in order to encourage their root systems to develop in a restricted fashion ready for easy lifting at the point of sale.

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,891

    Whatever Ed has in that little long thin box would perhaps have been a boon and a helpmeet.image

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • thenewbiegardenerthenewbiegardener Posts: 3

    Wow a big thank you for all the advice and the chuckles ( I always have a tractor ready in my garden shed for just these type of little problems). Hubby is none too pleased at the thought of moving his precious tree, so a little thought will go into how I can persuade him!!

    Have 'wasted' a huge amount of time today reading lots of interesting posts, and now have a plan of how to get great soil in the beds, once I have solved the tree issue.

    Will keep you posted on my endeavours and my buddy veg plot.imageimage

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