2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Birch Jacquemont (Latin Betula jacquemontii) - deciduous tree of the genus Birch of the Birch family. It is a useful variety of Birch (Latin Betula utilis). It occurs naturally in Eastern Afghanistan and the Himalayas. Typical habitats are mountain slopes.
Characteristics of culture
Jacquemont birch is a deciduous tree up to 25 m high with white bark and short-pubescent, sometimes resinous-glandular shoots. The leaves are green, ovoid, wedge-shaped or rounded at the base, somewhat leathery, equipped with glands on the inside, arranged alternately. In the fall, the foliage turns yellow or golden yellow. The leaf petioles are pubescent. Inflorescences are fertile cylindrical catkins, up to 1, 2 cm long, sitting on long pubescent legs. Bracts have oblong lobes, the middle lobe is longer than the rest. The fruit is a winged nut. Jacquemont birch blooms in the first half of May, the fruits ripen in September.
Growing conditions
Jacquemont birch is demanding on the soil composition. Loose, well-moistened, slightly acidic soils with a high humus content are preferred. Light loamy and sandy loamy soils are optimal. Jacquemont birch also successfully develops on poor podzolic soils with the condition of regular watering. The culture of alkaline substrates does not accept, plants on such sites are often affected by chlorosis, as well as highly saline soils.
The most important condition is not at all soil fertility, but a high degree of moisture. And the close occurrence of groundwater is not an obstacle for the development of plants. The location does not play a special role, only a thick shade is undesirable, the foliage should receive a sufficient amount of sunlight.
Reproduction and planting
Jacquemont birch is propagated mainly by seed method, since cuttings are difficult. Even when the cuttings are treated with growth stimulants, at best, only 10% take root. The seeds of Jacquemont birch are sown in spring or autumn. In the first case, the seeds are preliminarily stratified at a temperature of 0C for two months. Seeds are poorly stored, they quickly lose their germination, so autumn sowing is preferable. Seeds are sown directly into the ground or in special greenhouses. Crops are regularly and abundantly watered, and for the winter they mulch with humus or a thick layer of fallen leaves. The transplant of the formed seedlings to a permanent place is carried out when they reach a height of 40-50 cm.
For many gardeners, the seed method seems laborious and time-consuming, and most often they grow a crop from 2-3-year-old seedlings purchased from nurseries. Transplanting seedlings into open ground is carried out together with an earthen lump. It is important to avoid damage to the root system. It should be remembered that exposing the roots always leads to disease or death of young plants. Saplings are planted in early spring or autumn (in September - October). The optimum size of the planting pit is 50 * 50 * 50 cm. After planting, the soil in the near-trunk zone is watered and mulched.
Care
Jacquemont birch is moisture-loving, regular watering is important for it, especially for young trees. Annual fertilizing is desirable, fertilizers are applied in dissolved form. For 5 liters of water, take 1 kg of mullein, 15-20 g of ammonium nitrate and 10-15 g of urea. Plants have a negative attitude towards pruning, however, dry and damaged branches must be removed from birch annually. After trimming, the wounds are treated with garden varnish. Thinning pruning is performed as needed.
For the winter, Jacquemont's birch does not need shelter, the exception is young specimens, they can freeze under severe winters. Among the pests, the greatest danger is represented by pipe beetles, as well as May beetles and larvae. If intruders are found, damaged leaves are removed and burned, and trees are treated with chemicals.
Use in ornamental gardening
Jacquemont birch has an openwork crown and beautiful foliage, which is why it is widely used in ornamental gardening. The culture looks great in both group and single plantings. Many deciduous and coniferous shrubs and trees, including rowan, willow, maple, bird cherry, oak, spruce, fir, etc., will act as allies to the plants. Birch has a superficial root system, and it is not recommended to plant annual and perennial flower crops and herbs in the near-trunk zone … It is clear that they will fail.
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