Like all plants, birches can get sick at some point. The trees, which are generally very resistant, are particularly susceptible to some diseases. Making the right diagnosis will help you to treat the birch appropriately and take the appropriate measures comprehensively.
Discharges on the trunk are not a good sign
Typical problems of birches
Recognizing a diseased birch does not immediately mean resorting to harsh chemical treatments or even cutting it down. Rather, the tree has the ability to regulate itself. Birches are often troubled by pests such as aphids or thrips. In addition, the birch is quite often affected by fungal infestation. However, this will only entail you resorting to pesticides in severe cases. Just keep an eye on the tree.
Recognize classic symptoms
The fact that a birch is not entirely healthy is indicated by typical external features. Here are the most common:
- Yellow leaves indicate less a disease than a bad location. The tree may be lacking in light or nutrients.
- Withering leaves and flowers, on the other hand, can indicate that the birch is struggling with one of the common diseases such as powdery mildew, rust or anthracnose. In this case, you can help by simply cutting out the affected areas.
- Black discharge on the trunk and a corresponding scab are among the more serious signs of declining vitality of the tree. If the crown then also loses vitality, there is a need for action: if possible, optimize the location of the birch in the event of black spots so that the tree finds new energy to heal itself. Also, stay alert if the weakened tree becomes a safety hazard and threatens to topple over or shed branches.
improve location
Of course, the birch cannot simply change its location to gain relief. However, you could check whether more light can be obtained - for example by trimming surrounding trees or removing other obstacles. Also check whether the soil is too dry, then you can help manually.
bring in experts
If the birch shows other inexplicable symptoms, it may be advisable to consult an expert. It is best to have a corresponding tree examination initiated by the responsible green space office. In the case of serious illnesses, the experts know when felling is unavoidable and are qualified to carry it out professionally.