Betula Jacquimonti birch planting

Hello!

So I ordered and received delivery of a bare root tree. It's about 10ft and 10cmish girth.

Where I intented to plant it is about four foot from a border fence. Now, next doors garden is about three feet lower down. I recently read that they have a shallow root system. Do you think it might struggle to establish on that side?

Many thanks !

 

Regardless of type and age, it will need to be staked until properly established. The method you choose will depend on the site - ie wind direction and exposure etc. The best way is the angled stake, about a third of the way up the main trunk, which allows movement of the top and security of the root system. In completely exposed sites, the H system is often used. Make sure the ties are correctly fastened too.
I'm slightly confused though - why do you want it to establish on the neighbour's side, or am I totally misunderstanding what you've said?

Not sure why there are lines through all my text!

 

Oh I don't, but on my side of the border. But on their side it drops down. Obviously the roots will spread out quite far...

 

And since it arrived I've stayed worrying about it's potential height. Different sources say different things. That said, I'm on poor soil in a very windy spot

 

Have you got a pic of the intended site?
I have no experience of lighter, sandy soil as it's all clay here. Birches of all sorts grow all over the place, and regularly seed around too.
On lighter soils, they'll tend to grow more slowly, but I doubt it would be a problem re the neighbouring garden unless the tree simply doesn't establish and thrive in your site.

 

Thanks for that @shiney. I knew it was probably something I'd accidentally pressed!

I was about to ask the same thing of @Nickoslesteros re location - then noticed it was in the signature strip

 

This birch can make a decent sized tree and have a nice wide canopy, so my first thought would be if the neighbour minds it will over hang their garden a fair bit. If that won't be a problem I would still plant it further inside the border because 4ft isn't much room tbh. I think 8x4 or 10x5 m are reasonable potentials after 15-20 years for this species and whether the drop to the neighbours garden is problematic will depend on how far you finally choose to space it and the normal wind directions. If the roots come to a barrier they will just work their way down but you need a decent radius to anchor, what will become a modest tree.

 

I'll update my derails shortly. In short I am on the NW coast of England - 200m from the coast. Sharp sandy soil, though my proposed site is reasonable moist.

I've attached a photo. I was considering the border, but maybe bring it into the lawn?

 

Roughly where the tree's bucket is now, maybe

Or.. in second photo where the screw tie down is

 

My other option is on the other side, somewhere where the trampoline was moved to

 

If your soil is as sandy, dry and shallow as mine @Nickoslesteros, your tree won't reach the typical dimensions stated by the RHS and tree suppliers. To decide on the ideal location, think about where you can appreciate the tree best from the house, the views you would like to obscure and the likely shadowing in your garden when the tree is in full leaf. The foliage is quite light compared with that of many others. Also, there will be quite a lot of detritus falling from the tree during the growing season and beyond so bear that in mind with the proximity of any seating or play areas.

 

I think I have it...

They border gets the afternoon sun, but hoping that the foliage being light and hopefully high, might not cause a problem

 

Or.... Here.
God I need to plan better and be less indecisive!