Stressed silver birches

wagga

Hi--this is my first post to this forum. We planted 6 silver birches 8 years ago, all of which did well at first. About 4 years ago after a particularly dry summer, during which they didn't receive enough water, one of them started to show signs of suffering. It eventually died and was removed, and water was provided to the others on a much more regular basis. Now 4 of the 5 that are left are looking really sick, with few leaves and lots of seed pods, and the 5th, though leafy, also has lots of seed pods. I've read all the other threads about stressed silver birches, and over the years, I've done much of what has been suggested. I'm just wondering if the damage that was done by severe lack of water four years ago and continual drought until this year will eventually do the others in too? We've had tons of rain in NSW finally this winter, and we've installed a drip system. I've done the Seasol, both in the ground around the drip line and as a spray. The soil is clay but has been treated with gypsum.These birches do have a number of shrubs around them that are also using water, but no major large trees close by. Is there any hope of recovery, or are they doomed? Hope someone has good news for me.

Sunraysia Tree Solutions

HI in Mildura we lost a lot of silver birches with the hot weather, it sounds as if you have tried most things. Try reducing the amount of water you are using, you could be waterlogging the root system on a clay soil. But my real opinion is that these trees are unsuitable for a hot climate. They seem to do well up here for about 10 years when they are young and for want of a better word virile, but they are european trees more at home with cold winters than long hot spells and so as they become older a number of pathogens and diseases seem to cause their decline. Its a case of live fast die young


PS what is the ph of your soil ? silver birches prefer slightly acidic soils not the very alcaline soils of Mildura.

wagga

Thanks for your response, fatkoala. The trees may well be waterlogged, but this year it would be the result of too much rain (who'da thought?), not of being overwatered through TLC. I'd like to turn off the storm that's fast approaching, but can't quite figure out how to do that!
Yes, this seems to be a common opinion here, but I was hoping that those who were of that opinion just didn't know all the tricks.

Not sure about the pH, but will check that. I do have a fertilizer for plants that like an acidic soil--maybe I'll try that.

Garry Brockley

silver birch in the uk only last about 30 years tops and if they reach that in one piece it's a miracle, they love sandy dry conditions and peaty soils, however they're susceptable to many fungi infections.

look here for more options Problems With Silver Birch Trees | eHow.co.uk


Birch Polypore
•Birch polypore is caused by a light-brown tree fungus called Piptoporus betulinus. The fungus infects the tree through any wounds and progresses downward to the roots. The fruiting bodies of the fungus have a smooth surface, and the disease makes the tree highly susceptible to breakage. In addition to the silver birch, birch polypore is also likely to infect the downy birch. Preventative measures include the immediate removal of all infected tree parts.

Blushing Bracket
•Blushing bracket is a fungal disease caused by Daedaleopsis confragosa. The disease is characterized by the appearance of kidney-shaped, semi-circles of fungal growth attached to the tree. The fungal bodies are about 6 inches and reddish-brown in color. They turn a pinkish-red or "blush" when pressed. The fungal growth appears in tiers on the tree. Controlling the fungus is not considered necessary. Blushing bracket also affects willow and alder trees.

Birch Besom
•Birch besom is caused by the fungus Taphrina betulina. The disease creates thick, round, distinct bushes resembling a witch's broom in the tree branches. The fungus stays in the tree for many years and continues to create this broom-like growth. The tree is rarely severely damaged and only in cases of heavy infestation. No control is generally used for the disease. Besides the silver birch, the fungus also afflicts downy birch.


Read more: Problems With Silver Birch Trees | eHow.co.uk Problems With Silver Birch Trees | eHow.co.uk

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Eric Frei

I hear little good about that species, my recent research also indicates that they are a pioneer species like many of our wattles ..... so they are fulfilling their purpose.

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Garry Brockley

when you clear forrests and woodland in England they are the first and fastest to grow then come the Sycamores and ash then the oak, the sap is tapped and drank in early spring and is said to have healing abilities but generally this comes from being a good scource of vit C and D theres not much sunshune in winter in the uk so vit D deficiency happens alot and this sap can help.

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Darrell Mcleod

Silver Birch – I think – have a fairly shallow fibrous root system and do not like to dry out
Back at the end of the sixties in Melbourne we had a drought – I think that is what you used to call them
My dad said to me – watch - not next year but particularly the year after lots of Silver Birch will die and they did
Really important not to let them dry out – dunno about acid versus alkaline but acid loving makes sense
My opinion – severe lack of water

Brent Ferris

I agree. Birch don't like to dry out. Fresh to moist sites suit them best. In Canada, they grow mostly on acid soils. Also don't like soil compression on the root systems - in keeping with shallow fibrous roots,

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