The birch can reach this age
There are more than 40 types of birch, so there are slight variations in lifespan, depending on the birch in question. In general, however, they are extremely fast growing trees. They are undemanding and manage to reproduce and thrive in abundance even in poor soil and less than optimal conditions. That is why the birch is known as a pioneer plant.
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The final height of most birches is around 25 meters. The trees reach these at an age of around 50 years. Some specimens even exceed 30 meters. Once the final growth is complete, the end of a birch's life is far from in sight. Birch trees can live an average of 120 years under the best conditions. The hanging birch trees that are most widespread in Germany tend to be around 80 years old, while the bog birches, which are also common, can live as much as 200 years.
Stages in the life of a birch
After about five years, the birch will flower for the first time. However, the free-standing tree is sexually mature after around ten years at the earliest, and significantly later, depending on the conditions at its location.
Determine the age of a birch
If you are interested in the age of a birch tree, you can get a vague estimate of it by measuring the girth of the tree. The usual counting of the rings naturally only works for specimens that have already been felled. In principle, however, the measurement comes down to the same thing. However, since the annual rings can reach different widths, measuring the circumference only allows an approximate interpretation.
Measure the circumference of a birch
Preferably measure the circumference at a height of one to one and a half meters from the floor. You can also take two measurements, one at a meter and one at one and a half, and then take the mean. Then multiply your trunk circumference by 0.4 and get a rough guideline for how old your birch might already be. More precise measurements can only be made by specialists, for example by measuring the drilling resistance.
