Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Worst Mistakes?, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Holly,

I have had a clump Birch for about 25 years. As of this Spring--it is officially dead! ALL 4 main trunks--DEAD!
Yes--the single-stemmed Birch are a different Birch. Sharon (I think..) wrote an article on the different types of Birches last year.

In our hot-weather areas, the clump Birch--also called the River Birch (I think) is the one that can grow here.
What you call "extra trunks" are basal shoots that come up every Spring. I have selectively chosen ONE shoot to grow into the next trunk as one of the older ones dies off. As it is at this time--there is a healthy, developing shoot at the base that I have left to grow. All the others will get cut off.

Here's a picture....