Birch trees, scientific name Betula, are deciduous hardwoods of the family Betulaceae. These elegant trees are commonly cultivated in the Northern Hemisphere and areas with temperate and boreal climates. They are a fast-growing species that can reach 30 to 60 feet high, but they are also prone to diseases and conditions brought about by environmental factors such as drought and freezing temperatures.
How to save a dying birch tree
1. Schedule a deep watering at least once a month, especially during dry weather.
Give the trees a deep soaking at least once every month, especially during the hot and dry months. This is to ensure that the trees stay hydrated despite the dry weather. You may also opt to use a soaker hose or apply mulch on the soil.
2. Apply mulch around the roots of the trees.
To save your birch trees, apply mulch around the roots to keep the soil moist. This will also prevent the proliferation of weeds while feeding the soil. Good mulching materials are arborists’ wood chips and processed mulch. Apply at least twice a year at a depth of three to four inches, but make sure the mulch does not touch the base of the tree.
3. Remove deadwood through proper pruning.
Prune away dead branches and leaves correctly to avoid inflicting more damage. If your birch tree is already large and tall, you may need the help of tree professionals.
4. Apply pesticides.
Pest infestations can affect birch trees, and pesticides are required to get rid of them. One method that is proven safe is inserting pesticide pills into the trees. However, if the trees are any more than 30% dead, they should rather be removed and disposed of.
Signs of a dying birch tree
Brown and brittle bark, or cracks
Dying birch trees develop loose bark that eventually falls off. There may also be vertical cracks or missing bark, and deep splits in the bark that extend to the wood of the tree and are also referred to as internal or external cavities. The cracks create weakness that can lead to further damage, especially during storms and bad weather.
Only a few healthy leaves left on the tree
Dying trees usually lack lush green leaves, and have only brown and brittle leaves during the growing season. The dead leaves hold on right up to winter instead of dropping to the ground.
Abundant deadwood
A few dead branches, or deadwood, is considered normal, but if there is an increase in deadwood it could mean that your tree is sick or dying. Dead branches could fall at any time, and this could be a hazard, especially if the tree is near your home.
It has become a host to pests and fungus
If you notice that pests like bark beetles and carpenter ants are living in your trees, it is an indication that the trees are stressed or dying. Pests like to live in dead, weakened or dying hosts. If cankers and mushrooms are growing on the ground or at the base of the tree, these are indications of root or trunk rot.
Signs of root damage
Pay attention to changes in your tree’s shallow or partially-exposed root system. Signs of root damage may include thinning foliage, poor yearly growth, dead branches, undersized leaves, and wilted brown leaves.
The tree develops a gradual or sudden lean
If you notice some of the trees leaning more than 15 degrees from vertical, it could be an indication of wind or root damage, as well as general weakness. Large trees that lean over due to strong winds seldom recover and may eventually die.
The tree fails the scratch test
To check your tree’s health, do the scratch test. This is to ascertain the condition of the cambium layer, or the outer layer of bark. If the tree is thriving, this layer should be green. If it is brown and dry, it means the tree is dead or dying. Use a pocket knife to remove a strip of bark and check the cambium layer. Repeat the test on several areas to check whether the whole tree is dead, or just a few branches.
Signs of tree pests and diseases:
- Visible bugs, worms, beetles and other insects
- Discolored or spotted foliage
- Visible dead or dying foliage or branches
- Thinning canopy
- Wet patches on the trunk
Conclusion
Birch trees are deciduous hardwoods popular for their beautiful bark and graceful branches. Like most plants, these elegant trees are also prone to diseases and could succumb to sickness and death unless treated promptly. You can help save your dying birch trees by ensuring that they are deep-watered at least once a month, especially during dry weather. Also prune dead branches, mulch around the roots and apply pesticides to eradicate pests.
Image: istockphoto.com / Vera Shestak