Knowledgebase

River birch leaves turning yellow #877145

Asked July 14, 2024, 10:27 AM EDT

Hello, I have a 3-4 year old river birch in my yard. The leaves started turning yellow about a week ago and continued to change the color. Within a week, about 60% of the leaves are yellow. I googled and learned that potentially there are two reasons. One is lack of water. I believe that is the case, because of the amount of rain we had in the area recently. Also it is a location where clay soil retains a lot of water anyway and we do not water the section of the yard. The second reason was lack of iron. The person I was watching a youtube said we could use Milorganite to supplement the iron deficiency. My question is are there any other reasons that need to be considered, do you recommend Milorganite, is there alternatives to Milorganite? Thank you so much.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Milorganite won’t hurt your tree. Supplemental iron fertilizers are also available. it is highly likely it is a pH problem because clay soils in MN are alkaline too. Elemental sulfur amendments, miracid and soil acidifies can all help. The problem this year is exacerbated because all the rain is washing away any amendments including nitrogen. 
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/leaves-my-river-birch-are-yellow-green-why 


https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/leaves-my-river-birch-are-yellow-green-why

https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/caring-for-storm-damaged-treeshow-to-acidify-soil-in-the-yard/

This article is rather depressing but has suggestions for care. I personally am more optimistic.
https://digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=b792b6fb-ceaf-4fb3-9f15-d6179b6d2b5d
Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer Replied July 14, 2024, 1:24 PM EDT

Loading ...