Natural Approaches to Birch Leaf Borers - Ask Extension
We have a birch tree in Anchorage that is heavily infested with leaf borers, as are several birch trees in the adjacent park.
A chemical injection...
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Natural Approaches to Birch Leaf Borers #937752
Asked July 02, 2026, 2:49 PM EDT
We have a birch tree in Anchorage that is heavily infested with leaf borers, as are several birch trees in the adjacent park.
A chemical injection at the dripline has been recommended for our tree. However, we have well-established raspberry bushes nearby that would be affected, preventing us from harvesting berries there. ( There is also a raised vegetable bed, which we were told would be unaffected by the treatment. )
Short of removing the tree or the raspberry bushes, do you have an alternative solution for us?
Thank you for your time and all that you do!
Anchorage County Alaska
Expert Response
The damage from birch leaf miner is generally aesthetic and not incredibly impactful to the trees health. So an alternative is to just let it be. There are natural biocontrol insects in Alaska that prey on the birch leaf miner, and the leaf miner is not deadly to the tree. The tree should live and be fine even with the leaf miner. It is a good idea to remove leaf litter from underneath the tree because that can be a source of overwintering pupae that will get into the tree next year. I hope this helps make your decision.
