Silver birch reassurance needed

[Sounbelievablydull]

We planted two quite big silver birches in our garden last spring, they seemed to do great but now very little signs of life.
Some catkin type things are on them but I'm not sure if they have been there all winter?
I keep looking at other silver birches I see around the locality some are out some also seem to be taking there time.
Do you think they will be ok, ? Is there still time for them to come to life?
No gardening knowledge at all here, apart from the odd view of gardeners world!

[Ifailed]

They should be ok if they lasted through last summer, but did you water them - young trees need that help in the first year or so to help them establish? Cross your fingers for now, they may just be sulking a bit!

[5subjectnotebook]

You can very carefully scratch off a small piece of bark (5p - 20p coin size) and see what condition and colour the underlying wood is.

[Ifailed]

Good point, 5. Do it on a branch at about eye-level so as not to damage the main structure. It should be greenish.

[Sounbelievablydull]

Eeek no we didn't water them over the winter because the garden became like a quagmire with all the rain
Ilol give it another week before the scratching off approach
Can't believe how upset I'll be if they have died!!

[Ifailed]

not over the winter, during the summer.

[Sounbelievablydull]

Sorry yes we looked after them like children

[cooper44]

none of my silver birch have leaves on yet - the catkins will be from last year. I've got all different sorts and none are in leaf yet.

[slicedfinger]

We're in London and our next door neighbour have three and none have leaves yet though they have had catkins pop out this week.

[Ferguson]

This article says they 'need a lot of care, and mulching' and you can find out more if you read it:

www.ehow.co.uk/how_8667469_prune-silver-birch.html

www.mylandscapes.co.uk/5-reasons-to-plant-a-Silver-birch.htm

[Sounbelievablydull]

Thank you all so much for your input
I will wAtch and wait and feedback in a weeks time
Really hope they are ok😢

[shovetheholly]

It's early days. Give it another couple of weeks before you start worrying!!

[fiorentina]

Ours have literally just started to leaf, we are in the south?

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

No leaves on ours yet either or others in our road. We are south too.

[Sounbelievablydull]

Still no sign of life we are in London 😳
Slightly reassured by your messages though

[Sounbelievablydull]

Just to say the trees are fine looking lovely now thanks for all the replies