Birch trees bring in to mind river savings bank and northern forests but when embed in suburban lawns , they ask supernumerary care . Several diseases of genus Betula metal money and two insects that capitalize on them make many birch rod species in high spirits - criminal maintenance choices for residential mint . select the correct change of this charming tree diagram is the first footfall in maintain it healthy .

Identification

Most birch trees grow 40 to 50 feet tall and have heart - shaped leaves that turn yellow in dip . Paper birch and river birch grow in attractive clumps , make them democratic landscape trees . White birch are more resistant to birch tree borers , the tree diagram ’s most dangerous insect adversary . birch tree choose cool , damp surround , thriving from the woodland of Siberia to the great rivers of the American Midwest .

Diseases of Leaves

Leafspots are bloodsucking contagion of leaf margins by fungus kingdom and bacteria spores that are carried by rain , fog or dew . It chiefly affects Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that are crowded or grow in tone or low areas . Scorch dry out the outer portions of leaf ; it happens when leaves do not get enough urine during raging , dry periods or when roots are exposed to salinity because Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are planted nigh to a street where road salt is used .

If the drought is long enough or salt photo grave , entire leaves die . Chlorosis causes foliage to yellow prematurely ; it is have by alkaline grunge or by lack of minor nutrients like smoothing iron or atomic number 25 .

Fungal Diseases

Birch trees are susceptible to a bit of fungal infections that will molder the center of the tree diagram ’s trunk and branches in a disease called " bosom rot " . Infections of Fomes fomentarius , Daedalia species and Polyporus squamosus fungi occur most often when a tree is bruise , rationalise too seriously or make grow a " conk , " a fungus growth on the trunk .

Decline

Birch " fall " is a disease without a known cause . Trees in diminution often have experienced drought , ancestor damage or other forms of accent . They often exhibit conks . Decline is characterise by die branch in older Tree .

Insects and Disease

The bronze birch borer and leafminer approach trees already subvert by disease or decline . Of the two , the birch borer can complete the job begun by heart rot , canker fungus kingdom or universal declivity . Leafminers cause cosmetic equipment casualty but also weaken the tree , reducing resistivity to birch borer and diseases .

Prevention

The ripe mode to avoid diseases is to practice skillful birch refinement . In addition to planting a diverseness appropriate for your hardiness zone , trees need receptive sun and moist dirt . Soil should be well - drained and slightly acid with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5 . apply natural , non - reflective mulch like woodwind ; determine fungus development at the tree diagram ’s base by keep mulch way from the tree trunk .

Deep hebdomadary tearing keeps rootage level-headed ; fertilize the tree diagram only when take with slow - liberation N fertilizer . Prune Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree lightly in late fall or other spring ; they should never be pollarded ( " topped " ) . Never prune during birch rod borer flying season from May 1 to August 1 .

References

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