Birch Trees

[tsanders123]

I have seven birch trees about 10 years old and 20 ft high planted in two groups of threes and one single. They are planted in Mississauga, Ontario. In spring the tree leaves emerged normally and all was well. About four weeks ago the trunk about 5 feet from the top of the trees started to bend quite severely. This happened to one after the other and all seven are now bent. The leaves on the lower portion of the tree are fine. On the upper portion where the trunk is bent the leaves appear to be fine as well however their development is about 3 weeks behind the lower leaves. The leaves do not appear to have any sign of bugs or other symptoms. Other birch treees in the neighbourhood are fine and not bending.

Any help would be appreciated.

Tom

[Sheldon]

Sounds like the trees were affected by a sudden frost just as the buds were opening... the entire north east experienced the same weather condition and many fruit trees were damaged. Birch would be affected by a sudden frost especially if a particularly wet spring and if planted in a wet spot. You may lose the very top branches of those trees (the thinner upper branches suffered frost bite) but those trees should make a full recovery... I have birches that experienced the same here in NY's Catskill region.