Why is our Crimson Birch tree not growing properly?

Question

Its 2 yrs old and has been fine until this year. It got leaf buds in the spring but only some of them came out. The leaves are very small and have grown in "clumps". The only thing I've done differently was to snip a few thin branches off the bottom (ground level). Any advice?

Answer 1

Something is choking off the flow of water and nutrients from the roots to the branches or you have a lack of water or nutrients. All of these can produce small leaves and a sparse foliage. I would suspect one of the following: girdling roots, tree planted too deep, wire basket/burlap/rope left on tree when planted, drought or nutrient deficiency.

Stem girdling roots can also compress and weaken the trunk of a tree at or above the root collar flare (the junction between the trunk and the main roots) causing it to lean and lose its stability. Trees having stem girdling roots suffer a slow decline in health and a premature death.

Symptoms of stem girdling roots include: (1) Leaf scorch, early fall color, early leaf drop, damage on one or two branches. (2) Abnormally small leaf size. (3) Excessive twig dieback, the appearance of large, dead, leafless branches (stagheading). (4) Thin appearance to the crown, overall stunting. (5) Little or no trunk taper at the collar. (6) Leaning (7) Susceptibility to environmental extremes and other biotic problems.

Many of these symptoms can also be characteristic of other causes, such as drought or nutrient imbalances.

Answer 2

roundup contamination? check for birch borers