Birch tree dropping leaves - Ask Extension
Hi,
I live in Woodbury and have a 3 year old birch tree that is loosing leaves. The leaves turn yellow and drop to the ground. Some leaves have bumps...
Knowledgebase
Birch tree dropping leaves #877630
Asked July 17, 2024, 1:31 PM EDT
Hi,
I live in Woodbury and have a 3 year old birch tree that is loosing leaves. The leaves turn yellow and drop to the ground. Some leaves have bumps on them (attached picture). We also have a problem with Japanese beetles. I can't tell if is heat, or iron, or some other disease that is causing this. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Henrik van Legerich
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Henrik,
This is a leaf gall, a harmless condition created by tiny insects. Treatment is not recommended, it's ugly but won't hurt the tree.
See this page and the embedded link, which has lots of information:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2021/11/08/whats-wrong-with-river-birch/
Good luck.