Help with Tree ID - white bark, weeping boughs

monroe

Hello!

Can anyone ID this tree?

It is planted on a Toronto street. Whitish bark, trunk forks halfway up, and the boughs are very slender and weepy.



I have not personally seen the tree in summer but this picture on Google street view makes it seem somewhat shaggy and unkempt, with the boughs hanging to the ground. It is the only tree of its kind on the street.


30 MANCHESTER AVE - Google Maps

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Larissa

I believe it's a European Birch, Betula pendula.

monroe

Thanks Larissa!

Is it overgrown? Can it be trimmed to make it less 'weepy' and not hanging to the ground?

Larissa

You can definitely prune your birch to elevate branches off the ground, reduce the width span,reduce the height and thin it out. The best time to do this is after the leaves have emerged as sap will run profusely if you do it now and is not healthy for the tree. If there is any deadwood in the tree you can prune that out now.

Brent Ferris

If it is European Birch, check to see if it has been infected with bronze birch borer. If the tree has the borer there isn't much you can do, other than take it down. The native birch, Betula papyrifera for example is resistant to the native insect, the european varieties are not.

If you're interested, I can stop by for a look see.

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If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
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Jamie Myers

Dont reduce the height of it. Birch are a very poor compartmentaliser, it will rot like **** at the pruning points

Brent Ferris

The right stem in the picture appears to have bronze birch borer in one location -- need a ladder to confirm. However, the tree has been planted on City property so how the tree is trimmed or if is/not removed will be their decision.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

monroe

How does one identify the birch-borer problem from the photo?

Brent Ferris

The unevenness of the right trunk suggests a possible problem, along with this being a European Birch which is susceptible to the borer, Additionally I arranged to stop and look at the tree one evening on the way home, and noted my suspicions here.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

monroe

Oh my... if it is the birch borer, what can be done about it?

Brent Ferris

There used to be a pesticide to treat the borer, but it was taken off the market. Now the best treatment is to remove the infected parts, and keep the tree healthy.
However, as I pointed out above, I believe the tree is planted on city property (within 33 feet of the centre of the road), and the city will deal with the problem on its own schedule -- ie ignore it until it is a hazard and remove it, or respond to a request, and either remove it immediately or leave it until it dies.

BUt, they should offer to replant another tree.


And your say - unless you are a very, very, very squeaky wheel, (or you have pull) doesn't matter.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

monroe

Thanks Brent! I have my closing in May and I guess I will have to have a closer look at it at that point.

montgomery

This tree is a Birch, it is about 8 years old.
There is actually one 'up' the street at #45...2nd house in on the south side. (semi-detached house, white brick)

These trees are prone to internal beetle infestation. The case with the tree at #45 actually happened quite quickly, it seemed fine, then about a month later it started collapsing due to being internally dead.

-During the 'leafy' seasons, your tree is incredibly full & thick. You can guarantee to have no air on your porch. In the autumn the leaves fall & get absolutely everywhere. These trees can also grow to be Very tall.

The reason why your tree has a fork or 'crotch' is cause when the owner brought it home the tip was broken off.

This tree has Not been maintained since the day it was planted. At that time it was already over 12 feet tall. The front yard itself was laid down by a previous owner...and much like the tree, it was also un-maintained.
...the previous owner's didn't have a clue what they were doing


In my own opinion,
The tree is nice to look at, if you don't live anywhere near it.
-The leaves are pesky & get into the house. You are guarantee to have clogged gutters if you don't take care of them.


I hope I helped you out alittle,

Sincerely,
-one of your new neighbors, nice to meet you