Established Birch Tree- help

[kataryon]

We have an established birch tree that appears to be having issues. The tree is ~7 years old and has been pretty trouble free until just this past week or so. Some of the leaves have begun yellowing and falling off the tree. I don't know if this is a River Birch, White Birch, or ??? The bark is a brown, papery peeling type... We have 4 European White Birches, a few years younger, planted in the same location and these appear to be ok. Any suggestions? Other than the yellowing and falling leaves, the tree looks ok.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[woodville]

Very common around here this year, New England. Not a real issue if just the internal foliage is yellowing and fall off. If the tips are thats another story. Nor really sure if its a fungi or bacterial issue but Over the past 10 years when I've come across this, it seems to be seasonal and the next year it's fine. I wouldn't stress too much over it especially if other birch in the area are doing the same.

 

[treeseer]

around here this is a typical midsummer event, tied to drought stress.


Best to get an arborist on site, though.

 

[kataryon]

thanks

I will try to get a picture of the tree when I get home today... drought stress would make sense to me since we have been having many days with the temps at 100+. And the leaf yellowing/falling is isolated to the internal foliage... The other birch trees aren't experiencing this issue, but who knows maybe this is due to them being younger and a different variety- I figured out that the problem tree is a River Birch and the others are Paper Birch; tree trunks are quite different between them. Thanks again for your replies.

 

[Thillmaine]

River birches paricurarly and most birches are intolerant of extreme heat. Birch is a northern species, that thrives witht he cold winters and moderate summer temps. My college planted a river birch in a hot spot 3 times and it always dies.