white birch is one of my favorites. It is very common up north of me, but two things prevent it from being a stellar choice.
1) unless it is cut and dried, the bark tends to hold water in and it rots fast. Like 3 months fast. If I cut some birch for the campfire and I don't split/stack it, it's completely wasted pith within 3 months.
2) The bark is chalky and it's a lot like old, oxidized paint. I can just see it now, someone comes to admire the tree, or stumbles into it after their third glass of wine, and suddenly it looks like their black jacket or blue skirt made love to a chalkboard eraser.
But in terms of aesthetic and appearance, completely agree. Stunningly beautiful trees.
SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:
Curtis asks the best questions on this forum. Regardless of whether he is seeking advice on sexual technique or horticulture expertise his questions are always top notch.
Combine Curtis' questions with Wally's answers and it creates an irresistible combination.
Speaking of horticulture and reproductive techniques... look for my upcoming thread on grafting fruit trees.
Stealthtercel said:
Curtis, weren't you just asking about fire systems? I'm wondering how your local Fire Code Guy feels about a few cubic yards of an electrically powered combustible substance in a public area. It would be a pain to put it up and then have to take it down.
I was. The official answer from the township is that as long as it is A) temporary and B) used as part of a scenic element, it doesn't violate any rules. He didn't specify that the scenic element had to be part of a set, nor did he specify what period of time is temporary. Even if I made it permanent, I have the option of treating it with the salts solution that would make it legally fire retardant much like how I can spray my curtain fabric to make it fire resistant.
RossD
MegaDork
5/5/21 3:51 p.m.
Have any corkscrew willows in your area?
In reply to RossD :
None that I know of, at least not ones that aren't used in a deliberate, decorative way. Nothing wild, I should say.
