Silver birch

[ljpoole]

Hi I have 2 silver birches that look OK from a distance but up close they have several soft holes and what looks like rot.  Does anyone think they could be saved before I look to take them down

 

Many thanks for any advise sorry for any wonky pics as was up the trees 

 

 

[Mick Dempsey]

These are the result of previous (probably hard and repeated) pruning.

You can have them Re-trimmed to previous points, they might do another few years, or take them out and replant.

[Steven P]

adding to this, young silver birch grow fairly quickly (slows as they get older), if you want to replant with the same you won't have a gap in the garden for too long

[ljpoole]

Thanks both you are spot on the previous owner had them really short for some reason and it's seem to have damaged them quite badly.  To replant would I need the roots removed or do you think a new tree would survive next to the stomp?

[Mick Dempsey]

Best to have the stumps ground out after removing the trees.

[spandit]

Those look past saving - birch doesn't live long

[sime42]

In alignment with the consensus, they're buggered, might as well cut them down now while it's still easy to do so and they've still got some firewood value to the timber.

 

As an alternative to stump grinding and replanting straight away, you could just leave things alone after removing the trees. Birch are prodigious self seeders, (weed tree status sometimes), and self sown plants and trees normally grow stronger and faster in my experience. You'd probably have enough seedlings to chose from so that at least a few popped up in a suitable location.

 

 

 

 

[peds]

Absolutely, get rid of the tree, stump removal is hella optional. Birch stump makes a great nursery for all sorts, and can be a beautiful centrepiece with the right sort of planting.

 

Live fast die young, birch trees do it well.

[peatff]

A pain in the bum filling drains with seeds and the stumps come back to life after you cut them down but they are nice looking trees in the right context.

[Steven P]

If replanting, adding to my comment above, consider the height the tree will reach - if acceptable go for that but if not go for something that is shorter