Where to Find Silver Birch Saplings for Sale

The graceful, white-barked silver birch tree (Betula pendula) is a favorite ornamental tree for landscapes. With its striking white bark and oval canopy of yellow fall foliage, it adds beauty and contrast to any yard. If you’d like to plant a silver birch of your own, you’ll need to start with purchasing young saplings. In this guide, we’ll cover where you can find silver birch saplings for sale from reputable online and local nurseries.

Choosing the Right Silver Birch Sapling

Before looking for sources, it’s helpful to understand silver birch sizes and what to look for when buying. Silver birch saplings are typically available in these sizes:

• Seedlings – Less than 1 foot tall bought as bare root. Ideal for large plantings.

• Transplants – 1-3 feet tall, sold in pots or bare root. Most common size.

• Small trees – 5-7 feet tall sold in pots. Quick impact but higher cost.

When choosing silver birch saplings, inspect them for:

• A strong central leader and evenly spaced side branches. Avoid saplings with double leaders or sparse branching.

• Healthy white bark free of lesions, fungus, or cracks. Some bronze color is normal when young.

• Leaves that are oval, serrated, and green without spots or discoloration.

• No root girdling or stem damage from improper nursery care.

• Enough roots to establish well but not root bound if potted.

Buying young, vigorous saplings will give you the best start when planting silver birches. Now let’s look at sources.

Ordering Online

Purchasing silver birch saplings from online nurseries offers convenience and plant variety. Reputable online sellers include:

• Cold Stream Farm – Offers bare root silver birch seedlings and transplants from 6 inches to 5 feet tall. Free shipping over $100.

• Nature Hills Nursery – Good selection of container-grown river birch trees up to 7 feet tall. Free shipping.

• Stark Bro’s – Carries silver birch saplings from 1-4 feet in height. Bare root and potted options.

• Fast Growing Trees – Sells smaller potted saplings around 2-3 feet tall. Low prices and quantity discounts.

• Arbor Day Foundation – Non-profit with birch saplings around 1-2 feet tall. Benefits tree-planting projects.

When ordering online, check seller reviews, plant guarantee policies, shipping charges, and order timing recommendations. Most ship bare root saplings in spring or fall.

Shopping at Local Nurseries

Your other option is buying silver birch saplings in-person from local:

• Independent nurseries – Often have the best selection of hard-to-find and native trees like river birch. Chat with staff about the best choices for your area.

• Big box stores – Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart carry a limited range of popular birch varieties in pots or bare root.

• Farm co-ops – Some farm supply and garden co-ops offer birch saplings in bulk for large plantings.

• Conservation districts – Non-profits that sell native trees for conservation planting at low cost.

The benefit of shopping local nurseries is you can hand pick the specific saplings you want and get expert advice. Check inventory and place orders early for best availability.

Where to Find Silver Birch Saplings by Region

Silver birch availability can vary across different areas. Here are some top nurseries for finding silver birch saplings by region:

Northeast

• Stewart’s Arbor Farms (NY) – Good source for cold-hardy birch varieties.

• Sylva Native Nursery (PA) – Specializes in native PA trees.

• Toadshade Wildflower Farm (VT) – Carries birch saplings native to New England.

Southeast

• East Fork Nursery (TN) – Offers river birch and native birch species.

• Halls Nursery (GA) – Sells southern-adapted birch varieties.

• Musser Forests (AL) – Specializes in southeastern native trees.

Midwest

• Forrest Keeling Nursery (MO) – Large inventory of midwest native trees.

• Gier’s Farm (WI) – Cold-hardy birch saplings for northern climates.

• Ion Exchange Nursery (MI) – Great selection of birch and other Michigan native trees.

West Coast

• One Green World (OR) – Extensive inventory of ornamental, fruit and native west coast trees.

• Bay Laurel Nursery (CA) – Carries select birch varieties suitable for CA growing conditions.

• Suncrest Nurseries (WA) – Specializes in Pacific northwest native trees.

How Much Do Silver Birch Saplings Cost?

Silver birch sapling prices depend on size, type, and where you purchase from. Here are typical per-tree costs:

• Seedlings (~6-12” bare root) – $5 – $15

• Small transplants (1-2’ bare root) – $15 – $30

• Larger transplants (2-4’ bare root) – $25 – $60

• Small container trees (2-4’) – $30 – $70

• Larger container trees (5-7’) – $70 – $150

Ordering in bulk quantities can reduce per-tree costs. Shop sales for best pricing.

When to Buy and Plant Birch Saplings

Spring and fall are the best times to plant new birch saplings:

• Spring – Purchase and plant container-grown or dormant bare root saplings as soon as soil thaws in March/April.

• Fall – Buy and plant from late September through November before ground freezes. Containerized saplings can be planted later.

Avoid planting birch in heat of summer or winter. Prepare soil before planting by amending with compost and mulching well. Water deeply after planting and as needed until established.

Choose Beautiful Silver Birch Saplings for Your Landscape

With their striking white bark and graceful form, silver birch trees make an exceptional ornamental landscape specimen. Take time to find and purchase quality saplings from reputable sources. Plant them properly in spring or fall and you’ll enjoy their beauty for years to come. Our guide covers where you can find and how to select top-notch silver birch saplings to enhance your outdoor living space.