The main symptom is death of the upper branches of the tree. All the leaves on affected branches turn brown the the leaves are entirely brown. The injury should not be confused with the partial browning of leaves caused by birch leaf miner. Close inspection of the trunk will often reveal the adult emergence holes. These can be either round or semi-circular.
Control involves keeping trees healthy and pesticide applications.
Keeping trees healthy with regular fertilizer and watering during dry weather will reduce tree susceptibility. Such measure do not prevent infestation. Birch trees should not be planted on dry, adverse sites as they will be more borer susceptible. Applications of the insecticide Dursban are timed to kill the larvae as they hatch out in late May to early June. At least three birch trees have been reported as being resistant to bronze birch borer.