A Multi Stemmed Betula Experiment

You will have a bounty of Betula. I think I would experiment by take a plant with just 3 side shoots buds growing then put soil gradually around those shoots so they root from the join at the main stem.

Hi Siris, so I could plant it deep to bury three shoots? Would you remove buds further up the trunk or cut it down?

As you say time will tell all three may well work however my one thought relates to the three together I would have grouped them close together even tie them loosely together with a string that will rot to give the impression of one tree ,as you have them I think they will naturally spread out as the roots grow. you did ask .lol

That's great Brian. I can't easily reposition them, thanks

some trees don't do too well if you bury them too deep so don't over bury them. the junction where the root becomes stem is 'sensitive' as the ''breathing pores'' lenticels are needed for gas exchange.

pruning the new stems down is coppicing but Birch isn't usually given this treatment. worth a try though.

As Brian says I'd put the 3 closer together and then they will grow together, eventually fusing.

Dawn We bought a multi stemmed Jacquemonti a few years ago which was obviously three trees grown together in the same pot and it looks like what it is 😉not at all like the lovely one in your photograph. It is very slow growing; and whilst it looks attractive it is not a true multi stemmed tree!!!!!
They are expensive because they take a long time to grow and to be truthful they are worth the money👌 because your tree is going to take a very long time to look like the one at the nurseries!! Will pop a photo on tomorrow 👍

Seaburn, you are clever :-) thanks for that info. I will replant them.
Dotty, that's very interesting and informative, I should have had one ready done for Christmas. I will look out for your photo when you've posted.

Found this on the RHS site

To create a multi-stemmed birch:
1.Choose a young plant (less than 1m/3¼ft tall) and cut back either close to ground level (but not less than 8cm or 3in), or to about 30-60cm (1-2ft) from the ground
2.Make the cut horizontal and trim the wound so there are no rough edges; the cut stimulates dormant buds which should shoot strongly the following year
3.After a year or two, restrict the number of main stems by selecting three to five strong, well-spaced shoots and cutting out any weak or surplus shoots to the base
4.Do not be in a hurry to clear the stems of lower branches until the main stems are growing strongly

Some nurseries and garden centres will supply multi-stemmed birches ready pruned and trained for planting. However, by planting two or three young plants in the same planting hole you can achieve the same results. If they are sapling size (up to 1m/3¼ft tall) they should need no staking and you will have more control over the placing and arrangement of the stems.

Thanks Seaburn, that's good info, I've probably taken too much off the one I pruned, the after care advice is good too.

It's an interesting experiment. Maybe you'll end up with three nice specimens :)

You never know Hywel :-)

You have been given so much advice Dawn I guess you'll be trying some or all out ,fingers crossed you will succeed in getting what you want eventually , I'm letting my new one grow as straight and tall as possible to hide houses in the distance ...

Ok....so...I was advised to plant my three saplings a foot apart. One of them didn't grow and was really struggling, so after about 4 years I removed it and it is now growing elsewhere, so I have two trees growing together. At the moment they still look like two trees growing together, but in time I am hopeful of getting the multi-stemmed effect. Good luck Dawn!

Thanks Amy, good luck with yours.
Karen, that's interesting. Following Brian's advice, I've planted my 3 close together now, I'm thinking buying one already established is the way to go?

Well, I don't want to contradict Brian...he is a lot wiser than moi! But the birch trunks get to about.....well what would you think...10 inches across? So they would be merging in to one another. I would plant them further apart. Yes, you could buy 3' whips, but as you know, they aren't cheap.

Yes Karen I see your point, I might rearrange them again!!
I watched a video on youtube (Crocus's plant doctor) and she planted them quite close but hers looked like they came out of 1 litre pots which made the trunks sit further apart.

Like Hywel, I think it's an interesting experiment! Wishing you all the best of luck as you try to achieve this effect.

Thanks Balcony

Wonder if you could do it by grafting two saplings on to the sides of a strong one?

Maybe Karen :-)