See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties: Aphids, leaf miner and birch skeletonizer may also occur. If stressed, birches can become vulnerable to the bronze birch borer which infects and kills trees. It is not recommended for planting south of USDA Zone 7. This cultivar can become stressed by summer heat and humidity. Greenish female flowers are followed by drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in late summer.ĭiseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Tiny monoecious (male and female) flowers appear in early spring in separate catkins on the same tree. ‘Royal Frost’ typically matures over time to 30-40' tall and to 15-20' wide. Do not prune in winter or spring when the sap is running because it will bleed.īirches are considered a "pioneer" species and, thus, tends to grow quickly when young. It needs little pruning, but if necessary, you can prune during the dormant season. Keep the tree consistently moist and consider using soaker hoses and bark mulches to keep the root zones cool and moist. and where root zones are generally covered with snow throughout the winter. 'Royal Frost' does best in cool northern climates where summer temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees F.
#Red frost birch full#
Best foliage color occurs in full sun, but if the plant is sited in an area of summer heat and humidity, it will appreciate afternoon partial shade. 'Royal Frost' is best grown in moist, acidic, sandy or rocky, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. 'Royal Frost' is a hybrid cross between Betula populifolia 'Whitespire' (which gives it white bark) and Betula 'Crimson Frost' (responsible for the unusual purple leaves). Betula is Latin for birch and describes a genus of about 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found in many gardens and landscapes throughout the northern hemisphere. Phonetic Spelling BET-yoo-luh Descriptionīetula 'Royal Frost', or Birch, is an upright, pyramidal tree typically grown as an ornamental and known for its white bark and colorful red-purple leaves and yellow-orange fall foliage.