Birch Tree

Question: Hi
We have a nice good size white birch tree that has very few leaves on it. We noticed last year and now this Spring it’s pretty bare with a few leaves on very little branches. Is there anything we can do for it?  Or is it diseased? Any help would be appreciated. Here are some pictures. 
Thank you
Karen

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 04, 2023, 1:42 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your question and pictures. It appears you have an infestation of bronze birch borer, a beetle that infests paper birches. This beetle causes lumps under the birch bark and you may see D-shaped holes. It's hard for me to tell if this is the case in your picture of the trunk, but you should examine it closely. It also causes dieback starting at the top of the birch tree and progresses downward as you have described, and attacks trees under stress. Last summer's drought stressed out many of our trees and shrubs and we're now seeing the effects of it. It looks like your birch tree was a valued tree in your landscape and I know it's very hard to lose it. Here are two Extension links about bronze birch borer: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/birch/leaveswilt.html https://extension.umn.edu/tree-and-shrub-insects/metallic-wood-boring-beetles You may want to get a professional certified arborist to examine your tree. Here is a link to find one in your area:  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 14, 2023, 6:57 PM EDT
response: Hi I never received a response back from you regarding our Birch Tree. I sent pictures also.  Can someone help me out with this? Thank you Karen Engh  Sent from my iPhone  On Jun 2, 2023, at 9:26 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:    ﻿   Dear Karen, Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online. YOUR QUESTION #0103262: Birch Tree Hi We have a nice good size white birch tree that has very few leaves on it. We noticed last year and now this Spring it’s pretty bare with a few leaves on very little branches. Is there anything we can do for it? Or is it diseased? Any help would be appreciated. Here are some pictures. Thank you Karen Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States. If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.  This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 14, 2023, 8:57 PM EDT
response: Good evening. You said you didn't receive a response about your birch tree, but I did answer it and sent it to you on 6/4/2023. I apologize for the mix-up, so I have copied my answer to your birch tree below. I remember your question because your birch is in your landscape and I'm sure it's a great loss to you. Please let me know if I can help further. Joyce Edmeier  Reply posted by Joyce Edmeier at 06/04/2023 1:42 PM  Thank you for your question and pictures. It appears you have an infestation of bronze birch borer, a beetle that infests paper birches. This beetle causes lumps under the birch bark and you may see D-shaped holes. It's hard for me to tell if this is the case in your picture of the trunk, but you should examine it closely. It also causes dieback starting at the top of the birch tree and progresses downward as you have described, and attacks trees under stress. Last summer's drought stressed out many of our trees and shrubs and we're now seeing the effects of it. It looks like your birch tree was a valued tree in your landscape and I know it's very hard to lose it. Here are two Extension links about bronze birch borer: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/birch/leaveswilt.html https://extension.umn.edu/tree-and-shrub-insects/metallic-wood-boring-beetles You may want to get a professional certified arborist to examine your tree. Here is a link to find one in your area:  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 14, 2023, 9:36 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your response. For some reason I didn’t get the first response. I apologize. So if that is what is wrong with our birch there is no hope for our tree? Thank you Karen  Sent from my iPhone  On Jun 14, 2023, at 7:57 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:    ﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 15, 2023, 10:00 AM EDT
response: Good morning. I am not able to diagnose for certain that bronze birch borer is the cause of your tree decline since I can't examine it in person. We are Master Gardener volunteers who answer questions based on pictures and descriptions. I would encourage you to have a certified arborist examine the tree because many diseases can be treated. I provided a link to arborists in my answer to you above, and they may give you an estimate depending on what they diagnose. Best of luck to you.