Birch Tree - Lost one stem -- one stem yellowing -- two stems ok

[c12281]

Hi there -

I have three birch trees in my yard -- 15 years old. Love them. We had them pruned in late April by a professional tree company (Kramer Tree Specialists). We wanted the branches that were touching the house to be removed and trim the lower branches up.

Now that the trees have leafed out, we noticed that one of the stems was completely dead and another stem (on the same tree) has yellowing leaves. The tree company came back and cut down the dead stem.

Do you have any idea what causes a stem to die like that? Could it be related to the pruning that was done? Are the yellowing leaves a sign that the other stem may be dying as well? We also have yellowing leaves on one stem on one of our other birch trees. I did ask the guy who was here to cut down the stem, but he didn't seem to know.

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[ch woodchuck]

Pictures are always helpful.Were the trees still dormant when they were pruned?Pruning when a tree is about to break dormancy is not the time to prune.How much material was pruned.10..20..30 percent?I assume what you mean is,the tree is a double spar?And one of the two is dying?Is it the one pruned by the tree service?How long after pruning did you notice the problems.Had you irrigated these trees since leafing out?If so the possibility of saturated soil could be an issue,especially if you have heavy clay/slow draining soil.Perhaps the tree service introduced a pathogen through their pruning tools...Happens all the time.I'm not saying thats the problem,just looking for causes.If the other trees are stressed also,might look to see if there are any bore holes.The bronze birch borer is a big problem for birches.Generally the tops will thin and eventually the tree will die...If thats what the problem is.If it is borers the problem probably started before the trees were pruned.You'll need someone who has some ''real''working experience of these type of problemsDon't know if this tirade helped,Best I can do from this distance.

 

[ch woodchuck]

If you find an answer to your problem.I'd appreciate you posting the answer(s)Knowledge is ''king'' in this trade.

 

[PJM]

Seriously?!? You had a "professional" tree service out to look at these trees twice and your turning to a internet site for help.

GLWT

 

[ch woodchuck]

Pjm....She had a ''professional tree service work her trees.The key word here is ''tree worker''Tree workers generally don;t have an extensive knowledge or experience to find solutions such as this.Not all tree workers are in this category,there are some that are some that are on the ball.He/they had no answer as to the nature/cause of the problem..How professional is that?I've been in this trade for over 40yrs(retired)and those were some questions That came to mind.If I were there,guaranteed I'd find an answer.Suggestion..before you stick your foot in your mouth?it's your foot,and it's your mouth...:msp_rolleyes:You might check around this site,there are some really smart,professiona folks.

 

[PJM]

@ woodchuck - I don't think I'm the one sticking my foot in my mouth. She used a professional tree company that offers as its services "Plant Health Care - Diagnosis, Treatment, Recommendations and Monitoring Programs". Check out their site and you'll see for yourself. I'd be asking these so called pros what happened to my tree rather than some faceless yahoo on the internet. But maybe that's just me.

 

[ch woodchuck]

:msp_rolleyes:You're doing it again!we're not faceless yahoos.I am not a faceless yahoo.I'm a professional..and I don't like being called a faceless yahoo.Might try thinking before tabbing your fingers.I'm done with this thread....

 

[IL Arborist]

Kramer

I'm have to say I'm very surprised to hear that from Kramer. The are a very respectable service. More than likely your birch trees are river birch. In IL River Birch tend to suffer from Iron Chlorosis. I would call Kramer and have them send out one of their Arborists or try one of the many otther good companies in the burbs. Let me know what town are you located in and I can help send you to the right person.