Which natural communities are dominated by dwarf birch? Growing birch, care after planting and types. River or black birch

Which require a lot of attention and expense. Today we will discuss an excellent dwarf version of a familiar tree - birch. You will find out where it grows dwarf birch what it is and how difficult it is to grow it.

Description

Dwarf birch is a small tree that has a height of 20 to 70 cm. Mini birch leaves are round or oval, reach a length of up to 15 cm, and have jagged edges. In the fall, as is the case with most trees, the leaves turn bright red, creating a beautiful picture.

The fruit is a small nut that is several millimeters long and wide. Fruiting occurs from to.

In appearance, birch resembles a creeping shrub, the shoots of which grow roots and cling to them. Thus, one bush can occupy a significant area.

Important! In nature, the tree reproduces only vegetatively.

Popular varieties

You have learned what a dwarf birch looks like, now let’s talk about possible varieties that look more decorative than the wild version.

Golden Treasure
It is a miniature version, which is from 60 to 80 cm, has a diameter of no more than 1.5 m. The shoots are densely located, the leaves are colored in a light green color.

This variety is used not only for decoration, where it is planted in swampy lowlands, but also for. The spreading shrub grows 10 cm per season, so you don’t have to wait several years to see the “adult” version of Golden Treasure.

Unfortunately, other varieties of birch cannot be called dwarf, since they grow up to 4-6 m in height and require completely different conditions. Therefore, if you want to purchase a dwarf birch tree, then you are unlikely to be able to find any other option.

Did you know? Decoctions and infusions of birchberry leaves help with male infertility, increase potency, and remove salts and kidney stones.

Where does dwarf birch grow?

Low-growing birch is also called birch and slate. It grows in northern regions around the world (Europe, Canada, Russia). You can even find a miniature tree in the Alps at an altitude of several thousand meters. Dwarf birch grows in the tundra, where mosses and lichens cover the marshy soil. If we take the territory of the Russian Federation, then it can be found in nature in Yakutia, Siberia and Kamchatka.

Lighting and location

Although the dwarf birch can withstand extreme low temperatures, however, it has quite high requirements for lighting and space. It is impossible to grow shrubs in the shade; at a minimum there should be partial shade, and ideally a sunny place. In this case, the plant will hurt less and grow faster. You need to choose a place where a lot of melt water usually collects in the spring. Any more or less illuminated lowland where more valuable crops or trees cannot be planted.

Important! The shrub can tolerate short-term droughts without any problems.

Soil for mini birch trees

If you are going to plant dwarf birch in a lowland, then take care of good soil And . It is highly undesirable to use clay or other moisture-intensive options, since the bush cannot always evaporate a large number of moisture, and the crop is not immune from rotting.

Therefore, when planting, be sure to place drainage in the hole and use soil that in the best possible way conducts moisture.

Important! The substrate must be acidic or slightly acidic.

Planting a plant

Seeds

Planting seeds can be done either immediately after collection or in the fall. The seeds are not afraid of frost, so there is no need to additionally insulate the soil.
Before sowing, it is advisable to double-check all seeds and dry them well. Next, we select a place according to the criteria described above and sow. Several furrows should be made, 5 cm deep and up to 10 cm wide. Pour out all the seed and carefully roll up the soil. The distance between the furrows should be at least 30 cm. It is worth remembering that every year the seeds lose their viability, so it is advisable to sow them in the same year in which they were collected.

Seedlings

Let's start with choosing a seedling. Ideally, buy an option that is in a container, since there is no danger of damage or drying out the roots. Always thoroughly check the condition of the seedling at the time of purchase.
A few days before planting, a hole with a diameter of 1-1.5 m is dug. The lower soil is removed, and the upper soil is mixed with humus, fertile garden soil, sand and so that the roots of the seedling do not come into contact with clean or “mineral water”.

Next, planting is carried out, during which the roots of the plant are not separated from the earthen clod (if present). If there is no coma, then it is advisable to soak the roots in water, holding them for several hours. First, we line the bottom of the pit with drainage, which can be represented by small pebbles, crushed stone or expanded clay. The layer should be about 15-20 cm.
Next, pour out a little soil mixture so that a mound is formed in the center, on which we will place an earthen ball with roots. After placing the seedling in the hole, we adjust it so that it grows upward and not to the side. Pour out the remaining earthen mixture, lightly compacting it.

At the end, we water the bush and mulch it, if this option is acceptable to you.

Did you know? IN northern latitudes Birch pollen sometimes causes seasonal hay fever in people with hypersensitivity.

How to care for shrubs?

After landing you need to take care proper care behind the northern beauty to ensure proper development. Let's also talk about crown formation.

Watering and fertilizing

It’s worth starting with the fact that the bush “fights” excess moisture very well, evaporating up to 250 liters of moisture through the leaves per season. Such scales indicate that even the slightest drying out of the soil should not be allowed, otherwise the birch will draw out and evaporate the remaining moisture and begin to dry out or become sick. Exactly because of this reason It is necessary to water abundantly, maintaining constant soil moisture. Of course, if water accumulates at the planting site all year round, then watering is carried out only in the summer.
Speaking about feeding, we pay attention not only to the “mineral water”, but also to the humus. In the spring we add complex fertilizers, as well as humus or compost. In the fall, you can apply a similar fertilizer.

Important! Regardless of the nutritional value of the soil, the birch tree needs to be fertilized annually.

Trimming

Pruning begins in the second year after planting. Sick, dry and damaged branches are removed before sap flow begins. in early spring. It is better to start forming the crown in the spring, but you can trim overgrown branches in August.

Dwarf birch, slate, birch, birch birch, yora - that’s what they call it low-growing birch from the Birch family (Betulaceae). Dwarf birch grows in the northern regions of Europe, in Canada, in the north of Russia - in Yakutia, Western Siberia, in Kamchatka and Chukotka. In addition, the plant can be found in the mountains of Scotland and the Alps at altitudes from 300 to 2200 meters above sea level.

General data and description

In the alpine belt, in sphang and moss swamps, and in the Arctic tundra, dwarf birch trees grow in continuous thickets, which are called birch trees. From the Nenets language the word “era” is translated as “shrub”.

Low-growing birch is a deciduous, branched shrub with a height of 20 to 70 centimeters. Some specimens grow up to 120 cm. Young branches are fluffy and velvety, over time they become bare, the color of their bark is brown, brown, red-brown.

The leaves are round or oval, 5-15 mm long, 10-20 mm wide, with jagged edges, arranged alternately, growing on short petioles 4-5 mm long. The upper side of the leaf is dark green, shiny, the lower side is light green, fluffy. In autumn, the leaves turn bright red, so the thickets of the plant look very beautiful. Young leaves are sticky, but this feature is lost with age.

Staminate catkins of dwarf birch are sessile, straight, 5-15 mm long, about 2 mm in diameter, with yellow pollen. Pistillate catkins are supported on pubescent legs, oblong, elongated-ovate, 5-8 mm long, 3-5 mm in diameter, light-colored. Brown. The fruit is formed in the form of nuts 2 mm long and 1 mm wide, with wings on the sides. Dwarf birch blooms before the leaves bloom and bears fruit from May to June.

In the tundra, dwarf birches grow and survive thanks to special tactics. Their branches grow low above the ground, in constant readiness to lie under a layer of snow, which will protect them from freezing. As a result, not the usual tree with white bark is formed, but a creeping shrub with dark bark and twisting, slowly growing shoots. During the process of growth and development, additional roots appear on the shoots, which grow tightly into the soil and moss, so often only birch leaves and catkins can be seen on the surface.

This tactic allows the birch tree to occupy fairly large areas and move deep into the tundra over considerable distances.

In the North, dwarf birch trees do not reproduce by seeds; here they do not always have time to ripen to the required condition. Birch trees reproduce vegetatively - this method is more reliable and effective.

Residents of the North use birch leaves and buds to treat diseases of the genitourinary system. Decoctions and infusions of them help with male infertility, increase potency, remove salts and stones from the bladder and kidneys. Dwarf birch sap produces positive results in the treatment of rheumatism, gout and arthritis.

In addition, dwarf birch trees serve as food for deer and other domestic animals, and they are also used as fuel.

Variety of varieties

Modern breeders have developed several varieties of dwarf birch suitable for growing in small summer cottages or garden plots. If an ordinary white-trunked birch can grow up to 30 meters or more in height, fill all the space, pump out all the moisture from the soil, and thus crowd out other plants, then dwarf birches behave more modestly.

They do not grow higher than 1-3-5 meters, and varieties bred on the basis of northern dwarf birch are even smaller. They do not create much shade, and consume moisture to the extent of their size and capabilities. At the same time, they decorate the site no worse, and sometimes even better, than ordinary tall trees.

One such variety is Young's weeping birch (Youngii). Her maximum height– 5 meters, which it reaches within ten years, the crown width is only 2-3 meters. The branches hang beautifully to the ground, like willow or Sophora japonica. Thanks to these features, the plant looks decorative all year round- both in spring with small leaves and catkins, and in summer and winter, covered with frost and snow.

Yung's Birch

Young specimens have brown bark; with age it becomes white, with black cracks typical of birch.

The Golden Treasure variety is a miniature birch tree up to 80 centimeters high and a crown diameter of about one and a half meters.

Birch Golden Treasure is perfect for creating hedges, landscaping rocky gardens, rock gardens, and flower arrangements.

The shoots of this birch are dark brown and the crown is dense. The tree tolerates pruning well; it is easy to give its lush crown the required form. The leaves are round, from 5 to 15 mm long, bright yellow in color. In autumn they turn purple-red or fiery red.

The variety is characterized by increased frost resistance and the ability to grow in flooded areas, but at the same time easily tolerates short-term drought.

In 2014, at the “Green is Life” exhibition in Poland, the variety received a silver medal for decorativeness.

Use and agricultural technology

Decorative dwarf birch trees can be used to create Japanese stone gardens, alpine slides, landscaping areas near low buildings, gazebos and artificial ponds.

It is better to plant plants in well-lit places, or in partial shade. Under natural conditions, dwarf birch trees can grow in swamps, so in a summer cottage or garden they can be planted on a flooded, low-lying area with stagnant melt or rainwater. The plant pumps out and evaporates moisture well, and this ability can be used to your advantage.

The roots of the dwarf birch do not lie deep, this must be taken into account when weeding and loosening the soil. To summer root system was not harmed by high temperature, and the moisture does not evaporate too quickly, the root zone is covered with sawdust, pine needles, tree bark, peat, and moss.

These measures are especially necessary if birch trees grow in a dry place. The first time after planting, water the dwarf birch in the garden abundantly and often, and then as the soil dries out.

Before planting seedlings, the soil is dug up, humus, peat and sand are added; the holes are not made deep, since the roots of the plant do not grow in depth, but in breadth under a small layer of soil.

The first year after planting, the plant does not need to be fertilized, but starting in spring next year fertilizing is carried out every month, until autumn. In summer, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used - ammonium nitrate and mullein. In the fall - Kemira-universal composition or nitroammofoska.

There is no need to cover a low-growing birch tree for the winter; it will successfully overwinter in any frost, especially if its roots are covered with a layer of snow.

Reproduction

In conditions middle zone In Russia, dwarf birch trees can be propagated by seeds - here they will have time to ripen. Seeds can be sown in open ground immediately after they ripen, or in the fall, without fear that they will die from frost.

Another way to propagate dwarf birch is by cuttings. The cuttings are placed in clean water, and after the roots appear, they are planted in a permanent place.

Reproduction by layering is a method established by nature itself. In the tundra, dwarf birch trees spread in this way, clinging with their roots on the branches to every piece of land suitable for nutrition and growth.

Pests

Insect pests, such as mole crickets, aphids, thrips, beetles, leaf sawflies, and borers, also attack dwarf birch trees growing in the garden. To protect the plant, spray it chemicals, or folk remedies– infusions of tobacco dust, garlic, hot pepper.

It is a close relative of the common birch and is a shrub with a large number of branches. The height of the bush does not exceed one meter, and the width of its crown can reach one and a half meters. It has small and round leaves that are dark green above and light green below.

Sometimes dwarf birch is so small that only leaves can be seen on the surface of the lichen. The leaves are attached to the stems using short petioles. The earrings of this type of birch, in turn, are small and have a round-oval design. During ripening, they crumble into their component parts: scales and fruits.

The fruits are small, about 2 millimeters long, oval nuts with wings on the sides. Dwarf birch blooms in May, before the leaves bloom, with small, unisexual and unattractive flowers. Fruiting occurs starting in June.

Dwarf birch grows quite slowly. Its winter hardiness is very high, it is not for nothing that it grows in the northern regions of the earth’s hemispheres: North America, Northern Russia, Yakutia and Western Siberia. It is very often found in the highlands of the Alps. Her favorite places are rocky slopes and swampy areas of the Tundra.

The decorative type of dwarf birch is used for landscaping personal plots, areas around buildings, for landscaping park facilities and creating landscape views in landscape design. Thanks to the compact, rounded shape of the crown, this shrub does not require constant trimming.

Planting and care. Before planting, a hole is dug into which the mixture is added. garden soil, peat, humus and sand. Subsequently, the plants are fed with complex fertilizers, starting from spring until autumn. For feeding, you can use nitrogen-containing fertilizers such as mullein, nitrogen fertilizer and ammonium nitrate. In the fall, you can use nitroammophoska or Kemira-universal fertilizer for fertilizing.

After planting in the first 3-4 days, it is necessary to water the plant abundantly, and on hot days it is advisable to increase the volume of liquid.

To control weeds, loosen the soil in the area of the root system. In addition, the soil will be saturated with oxygen.

After the earrings have ripened, you can sow the seeds. This can be done immediately or wait until late autumn after collecting the seeds.

Reproduction. Dwarf birch reproduces by seedlings or seeds. Seedlings are planted in the ground in spring or autumn. They choose loose, well-fertilized soils, but as practice shows, they take root well on any type of soil. At the same time, the dwarf birch loves moisture very much, so it needs to be provided with regular watering. When planting large plants with an open root system, their death is possible, since stronger plants do not like replanting and do not take root well.

Pests. The dwarf birch has its own significant set of pests. These include mole crickets, bladderworts (thrips), beetleworms, goldfish, silkworms, and leaf sawflies. When fighting them, the shrub should be treated with fungicides and insecticides.

The tundra is one of the most suitable places for its growth. In this regard, it is the most common plant of the tundra. In this place there are entire thickets of this type of birch, especially in the southern part of the tundra. Moreover, it is distributed over almost the entire area of the tundra zone. Its neighbors in these harsh areas are lichens, moss and dwarf willows. Basically, dwarf birch serves as food for animals, but larger specimens are used by the local population as fuel.

Dwarf birch Ernik

In the tundra, this type of birch is called “ernik”, which translated means “shrub”. It is very difficult to survive in the harsh conditions of the North, and therefore this type of bush has developed its own survival technology. It grows and moves further under layers of snow cover, spreading thick branches widely. Thus it is protected from severe frosts and freezing. That's why it grows not as a straight tree, but as a spreading shrub. Ernik is woven into the moss with its many branches to such an extent that on the surface you can only notice the leaves and catkins of the dwarf birch. With its thickets it occupies very large areas and with the same thickets it moves deeper into the tundra.

In such conditions, propagation by seeds occurs very rarely due to the fact that the seeds do not have time to ripen, and they rarely develop. The birchberry has another one ready, more effective method– vegetative. The bush literally crawls along the ground, clinging to it with its branches. As a result of such contact, auxiliary roots are formed on the branches and at the points of their formation, young shoots of dwarf birch emerge in the coming year. Seeds of dwarf birch develop at the beginning of great cold weather and remain in winter period in earrings.

Young dwarf birch shoots appear only in areas where nothing is growing at that moment. Such areas appear after animals visit these places, for example, caribou are reindeer. They very actively clear the territory of everything edible, especially since there is not so much of it in the tundra. This space is then irrigated with melted spring waters. The combination of all these conditions allows the dwarf birch to occupy this territory. In the future, having populated this area, it will become one of the links in a huge, and so necessary, root chain.

Despite its small size, the dwarf birch can live for about 100 years. After reaching this age, the process of rejuvenation of the bush begins to occur. Old branches begin to dry out and finally die. In their place, new young branches are formed, which begin new life. But not all shrubs thus continue their movement across the tundra. Many of them dry up on the root, and bearberry settles in its place. As soon as young dwarf birch shoots appear in this place, the bearberry gradually begins to retreat. Based on this, we can say that dwarf birch is resistant not only to the harsh conditions of the tundra, but also has great “survivability.”

Dwarf birch (Betula nana in Latin, or dwarf birch in the people) is a rounded shrub; the largest specimens reach 1.2 meters in height. Thickets of dwarf birch can be found in the wild in the Northern Hemisphere. The homeland of dwarf birch is the tundra. Due to harsh climatic conditions, only dwarf trees, low-growing, but very resilient, like all tundra plants. The lifespan of this tree is up to 120 years.

Dwarf birch is found in the wild in the northern regions of Russia.

The dwarf birch is a close relative of the common birch, familiar to everyone. But visually this plant is very different and does not in any way resemble a slender, tall beauty with a white trunk. A fancifully curved, creeping decorative birch can become the highlight of a plant composition in a garden or greenhouse; a bonsai made from this plant also looks great. Considering that dwarf birch grows in northern latitudes, minimal care is required for this crop.

Where else do dwarf trees grow? Low-growing birch can be found in Siberia, Yakutia, North Korea and Japan, B North America, Canada, Kamchatka. Also, dwarf birch can grow in mountainous areas: at an altitude of up to 850 meters in Scotland, and on hills up to 2000 meters high in the Alps.

Dwarf birch is a highly branched or creeping shrub. Its shoots are thin and flexible. Depending on the habitat, the shoots can rise up or spread along the ground, like many tundra plants. Miniature specimens are often completely hidden in lichen thickets, with only bright green leaves visible on the surface. Spreading in different directions, they are able to densely cover an area of 3 square meters.

The small leaves reach only 1.5 cm in length and range from 1 to 2 cm in width. The leaves are very bright, dark green on top and bright green below, round in shape. In autumn they turn yellow and red.

Birch dwarf blooms miniature earrings of yellow-green, also very bright and rich in color. After pollination, the earrings begin to dry, then fall apart into scales and reveal the fruit - tiny nuts up to 2 mm long, brown in color with two wings on the sides. The plant blooms in May, until early summer, and bears fruit until the end of June.

Dwarf birch is one of the deciduous trees, used to create bonsai.

Birch bark has a variety of shades and textures; it can be smooth, cork, or embossed. It is thanks to the bark dwarf plant looks so decorative and attractive. The brown, gray, brown rugged trunk contrasts beautifully with the bright foliage.

In the vastness of the tundra, this shrub-like dwarf tree is almost the only decoration. Its neighbors are lichens, mosses, and dwarf willows. This is a winter-hardy plant that can tolerate even very low temperatures without problems; it will not be very comfortable in a dry and warm room. You need to remember this when planning to grow dwarf birch at home.

Growing conditions

Lighting. Dwarf trees grow in the tundra primarily due to the lack of natural sunlight and frozen ground. A low-growing birch, of course, will not dry out in the shade; it will withstand difficult climatic conditions. But still, this plant is light-loving, it needs sunlight.
The soil. Dwarf birch in natural conditions grows in marshy soils. If you want to grow it in your home garden, you need to choose well-moistened, loose soil with weak acidity. Birch trees need to be watered frequently and abundantly.
Temperature conditions. Yernik is relatively unpretentious temperature regime. He will winter without any problems garden plot. But if the summer turns out to be very hot, you will need to protect the tree from the scorching sun. In an office or living room, you should not place a pot of dwarf birch near heating radiators.
Humidity level. Ideally, plant a dwarf birch tree in an area where water flows close to the surface of the earth. groundwater. If this is not possible, then the soil is regularly and abundantly moistened. The birch tree will also need frequent spraying.

Planting rules and care

Reproduction of dwarf birch is carried out in two ways:

seeds;
seedlings.

The plant can be transferred to the ground both in spring and autumn - the seedling will survive the winter. The shrub will take root in any soil, but if possible, preference should be given to sandy loam and light loamy compositions. After planting, the soil must be fertilized and watered well.

Large seedlings with bare roots require special care. If watering is insufficient, it may begin to wither and dry out from the top. In this case, the dried tip is cut off by five to seven centimeters, and the plant is transplanted into more moist soil, not forgetting about fertilizing and watering.

plant young plant in the ground can be done both in spring and autumn.

The plant needs to be fertilized in early spring and mid-summer. Peat, humus, phosphorus-potassium can be applied as fertilizer. mineral mixtures. You can also use:

mullein;
urea;
ammonium nitrate.

If there is a need for autumn feeding, then it is better to use “nitroammophoska”.

As for watering, immediately after planting the soil should be moistened abundantly for three to four days. You cannot forget about regularly watering the plant. During the summer season it can absorb up to 250 liters of water. And if the summer is hot and dry, this volume increases. To saturate the soil with oxygen, it must be periodically loosened to a depth of no more than three centimeters.

To fertilize dwarf birch, various organic fertilizers are used, as well as ammonium nitrate.

Pests and diseases

This crop is quite sensitive to various pests, although not susceptible to severe climatic conditions. You should be wary of:

mole crickets;
May beetle;
thrips;
goldfish;
silkworm;
leaf sawfly;
powdery mildew.

To prevent insect attacks, the plant is treated with fungicidal and insecticidal solutions once or twice a year.

One of the most dangerous pests for birch - silkworm.

Areas of use

In Siberia, Yakutia and other northern countries, the dwarf birch is perhaps the only green tree. Young shoots of this plant are used as feed for livestock. Local residents use larger and thicker branches to light stoves.

This shrub is cultivated mainly in decorative purposes. This tree will be a great addition to landscape composition, will decorate any personal plot or a city park, rock garden or alpine slide. Birch harmonizes beautifully with short trees coniferous trees and bushes.

Botanical name: Dwarf birch or low-growing birch (Betula nana).

Genus: Birch.

Family: Birch.

Homeland of dwarf birch: North hemisphere.

Lighting: light-loving, shade-tolerant.

The soil: marshy, moist.

Watering: abundant.

Maximum tree height: up to 1 m.

Average lifespan of a tree: 100-120 years.

Landing: seeds, cuttings.

Dwarf birch: description

The dwarf birch, the photo of which is presented on the page, is a close relative of the ordinary birch. It is a highly branched shrub. It reaches a height of about 1 m. The branches are raised upward or spread along the surface of the ground; in diameter they can cover an area of up to 3 m. With very small sizes, the shoots are hidden in the thickness of the lichen, only the leaves of the plant are visible on the surface. The leaf arrangement is regular.

The leaves of the dwarf birch are small, 5-15 mm long, 10-20 mm wide, round, dark green above, light green below. They are attached to shoots using short petioles 4-6 mm long. In autumn they turn yellow and bright red.

Catkins on dwarf birch are also extremely small. Have oval shape. When ripe, they crumble into separate parts: three-lobed scales and fruits - small oval nuts 2 mm long, 1 mm wide, with narrow, membranous wings on the sides.

The flowers are small, inconspicuous, unisexual. It blooms in May, before the leaves bloom. Fruits from April to June.

Young shoots are velvety or fluffy, with dark brown or brown bark. Dwarf birch grows very slowly.

The bark of an adult plant is smooth and covered with a cork layer. The shrub's winter hardiness is quite high. In the wild it is found in the North of Russia, Yakutia and Western Siberia. Abroad, it grows in North America and northern Europe. Sometimes found in the mountains and Alps. Prefers rocky, swamp and tundra soils.

Dwarf birch in the tundra with photo

This shrub is considered one of the most common tundra plants. It is found throughout the tundra zone, growing especially abundantly in its southern part, where you can find entire thickets of dwarf birch.

Tundra dwarf birch can withstand long, harsh winters on frozen ground. It grows mainly in swamps, along with lichens, mosses and dwarf willows. In summer, the plant serves as food for tundra animals. Larger specimens of birch are used by the local population as fuel.

A photo of a dwarf birch in the tundra is attached.

Dwarf birch in landscape design with photo

IN landscape design use decorative form dwarf birch. Trees are planted for landscaping garden plots, adjacent areas, for the design of public parks and landscape gardens.

Due to its small, rounded shape, this shrub does not require regular pruning.

Looks beautiful in rock gardens, alpine roller coaster and group plantings, combined with low-growing evergreen conifers.

Dwarf birch: planting and care

Dwarf birch is planted using seedlings or seeds. The plant is planted in spring and autumn. Dwarf birch seedlings successfully take root in any soil, but prefer loose, slightly acidic, well-fertilized, sandy loam and light loamy soil.

They like abundant watering. Mature plant in summer it draws about 250 liters of water from the soil per day. Large seedlings with an open root system are more difficult to take root. Some of them die, while the tops of others may dry out.

Planting holes are filled with a mixture of garden soil, humus, sand and peat. In spring they add to the hole complex fertilizer, in the fall they use a phosphorus-potassium composition. Feeding is required in early spring and early summer.

Nitrogen-containing fertilizers (mullein, urea and ammonium nitrate) are suitable for this. As autumn feeding Nitroammophoska and Kemira-universal serve.

Abundant watering is necessary during planting and in the next 3-4 days. During hot and dry periods, the volume of water should be increased.

Loosening is required to control weeds and saturate the soil with oxygen; it is allowed to a depth of up to 3 cm.

Sowing of seeds is carried out immediately after harvesting or in late autumn. Collect seeds during the period of browning of catkins.

Pest protection

Pests of dwarf birch - , and , .

To prevent and control pests, the shrub is treated annually with fungicides and insecticides.

Interesting facts about dwarf birch Ernik

In the North, dwarf birch is called “ernik”. This name comes from the Nenets word “nana”, which means “shrub”. In the harsh conditions of the tundra, this plant has developed its own strategy for successful existence: it moves forward under a layer of snow cape, thereby protecting itself from freezing and death. Therefore, birchberry grows as a spreading, branched bush, and not as a straight tree.