Description
White Birch Tree Seeds (Deciduous) 6780. Native of Canada. Perennial.
Approx. 50 seeds/pkt (1,000 seeds/gram)
White Birch is a native tree of Canada ranging pretty well from the Atlantic to Pacific and north to the Arctic. In the wild it can grow to 25 m or more in height but is typically much shorter in the landscape. White Birch makes an excellent lawn highlight and landscape contrast specimen. Its importance is legendary in First Nations culture. With its bright white bark, interesting flowering structures known as catkins, and upright often multi-stemmed form it has year round visual appeal. An interesting fact is that while white birch can live to 50 years or more in the north, they do not handle extended periods of high temperatures very well. By the time hardiness Zone 6 is reached, their lifespan shortens to around 30 years. For many native and perennial plants, late fall is the best time to sow seed directly outside. Why you ask? Simply put, many of these plants produce seed that is viable but dormant. This means allowing seeds to naturally stratify over window will “wake up” the dormant seed for best results.
How to Grow
Stratification of tree seed occurs naturally outdoors through the winter. Sowing tree seeds outdoors in the fall takes advantage of this natural effect. Sow 6 mm deep, directly outdoors late fall. To stratify indoors, mix the seed with a moistened, sterile, peat based growing medium in a container, wrap in a ventilated bag, and place it in a refrigerator for 12 to 20 weeks. In the spring plant the seed in a sheltered spot outside to grow into seedlings.
Another method: Cold stratify the seed in your freezer. Mix seed into a sterile, moistened peat moss based potting soil. Cover with lid or wrap in a plastic bag and freeze solid for two months. Remove lid/plastic. Place under lights for germination at 21° C. Germination is sporadic over approximately 30 days and may take longer.
Transplant to permanent site when well rooted.
