Pinnacle Birch dying from base up - Ask Extension
I planted 2 Dakota Pinnacle Birch trees last Fall and now they are dying from the bottom up. I kept the area well watered last Fall and this Summer. I...
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Pinnacle Birch dying from base up #762474
Asked July 19, 2021, 8:15 AM EDT
I planted 2 Dakota Pinnacle Birch trees last Fall and now they are dying from the bottom up. I kept the area well watered last Fall and this Summer. I don’t see evidence of birch borer and cannot find reasons a bitch is dying from the bottom. Most resources say birches die from the top down. I am located in Roseville near Central Park. The front of my house is facing south and these trees are in full sun.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Birch trees dying from the top down is bronze birch borer damage and dying from bottom up is probably a root problem. Birch are understory trees naturally and exposed locations are hard on them. They need moist well drained soil. It can be hard to achieve. But watering the top couple of inches without making the soil soggy will keep the tree healthy. Check the soil under the tree regularly and if it is dry to a depth of 2 inches when it is it is time to water. I wonder if the tree isn’t suffering from reflected heat and leaf scorch. It only has to happen once and the leaves won’t green up again this year. We have had 2 or 3 days of extreme temperatures this summer.
