Sad birch trees - Ask Extension
We have thousands of trees lined out of multiple kinds. Everything looks wonderful except the birches which are affected by something that is stuntin...
Knowledgebase
Sad birch trees #879410
Asked July 30, 2024, 12:10 PM EDT
We have thousands of trees lined out of multiple kinds. Everything looks wonderful except the birches which are affected by something that is stunting the growth… can’t figure it out!!! Please help! Fungus? Insect? M
Barry County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Kathy,
I suspect the birch had too many leaves, or grew too many leaves without proper roots to take up the water lost by the leaves through the process of photosynthesis. Some of the birch twigs with fewer leaves look like they are doing ok. Keep in mind that the cuttings need to grow roots before they can take up water, and during that period the cutting may experience drought stress.
Below is a link to an article about rooting cuttings from deciduous trees and shrubs for reference.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/propagation-deciduous-trees-and-shrubs-softwood-cuttings
Glad the others are doing well! Sounds like a fun project.
Thank you,
-Julie
I suspect the birch had too many leaves, or grew too many leaves without proper roots to take up the water lost by the leaves through the process of photosynthesis. Some of the birch twigs with fewer leaves look like they are doing ok. Keep in mind that the cuttings need to grow roots before they can take up water, and during that period the cutting may experience drought stress.
Below is a link to an article about rooting cuttings from deciduous trees and shrubs for reference.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/propagation-deciduous-trees-and-shrubs-softwood-cuttings
Glad the others are doing well! Sounds like a fun project.
Thank you,
-Julie
