Birch Borer

What is Birch Borer?

Bronze Birch Borer is a serious pest of Birch trees in the Midwest. It can severely injure or kill most birch species; European White Birch varieties are particularly susceptible.

What are the symptoms of Birch Borer?

The usual first sign of attack is a thinning or dieback of branches in the upper third of the tree. Leaves on the infested branches may be unusually small or may show browning along the edges in May or June. Larvae cause the damage by feeding under the bark and girdling the branches. Girdling prevents movement of food and water to tissues above the attack site. Extensive feeding may kill the branch by July or August.

How do you control Birch Borer? 

Cultural treatment: Try to keep trees healthy. Because birches have a shallow root system, water them during droughty periods or if they are growing on light soil. Fertilizer helps trees withstand light infestations and fight off borer attacks.

Chemical treatment: Lightly infested trees often return to full health with an annual preventative insecticide program. We add an 18-0-6 tree formulated Root Stimulator and micronutri­ents to be certain the tree stays in good health.