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Himalayan birch ultimate height for a small garden?

#1 · 19th October 2021, 12:02 pm

Hi, from peoples experience how large do Himalayan birch trees get (especially in the north west of the U.K.) wanting one for my garden but don’t know if they’ll get too tall!

#2 · 19th October 2021, 3:44 pm

Hi,

Himalayan birch or Betula pendula will grow anywhere from 6-20m depending on the conditions and variety of tree. Ie multi stems will be lower but probably wider than fastigiate forms such as 'fastigata'. Sometimes it is better to consider height and width together. Ie a tall thin tree is usually preferable in a small garden to a tall and wide tree species that will take over!

What you could do is top the tree though when it gets to the desired height. Using a sharp pair of secateurs remove the very top leading branch. Topping a tree is where you remove the top leading branches. What this does is divert the auxin (growth hormones) further down the tree to laterals. Slowing down the upwards growth but creating a 'bushier' tree. This is why we cut hedges back each year when they are young to force them to bush out more and mesh together. Rather than them growing vertically upwards and becoming thin or leggy.

NB Care should be taken when topping out conifers as they have apical dominance meaning often the hormones don't easily reroute to lateral growth.

If you're looking for a smaller tree then maybe try and dwarf variety or Acer if your garden is sheltered and not exposed.

Happy gardening!