How to Save Dying Birch Trees in the Seattle Area
Let Us Save Your Birch Trees from the Bronze Birch Borer Infestation
Is your birch tree in the greater Seattle area struggling with the Bronze Birch Borer infestation? Or do you just want to get ahead of a potential infestation?
Blooma Tree Experts is here to help with a comprehensive plan to ensure the health and beauty of your birch trees:
- Complimentary Consultation: Our arborist provides a free assessment of your tree's health and recommends a customized plan of action. If the upper canopy is ~30% dead already, we will generally recommend a tree removal as a Birch treatment plan is highly unlikely at that point.
- Pruning (if required): If necessary, we schedule tree pruning to remove dead or diseased branches, which enhances the tree's structure, reduces safety concerns around branches falling, and removes sections already infested with the Bronze Birch Borer.
- Microinjection Treatment (May-September): For prevention or infestation control, we will schedule a microinjection treatment for sometime between May and September, the optimal time for effective results. This treatment is injected directly into the base of the tree – the Birch tree than pulls the pesticide up into the upper canopy, where the insects live.
- Biennial Treatment: The Birch treatment generally provides protection for two years. After this period, we will re-inspect the tree and re-administer the treatment.
- Ongoing Healthcare: To provide the highest odds of success, we can also add on an annual healthcare plan, which consists of 4-7 visits per year to do soil soaks, soil amendments, etc.
Please note that while we strive to save your tree, there are no guarantees - our job is to provide your Birch tree the highest odds of success, but reality is that the Bronze Birch Borer is difficult to beat. If the upper canopy is more than 30% dead, it may be too late, and you would be better off removing the tree and replanting it with a new tree more resistant to pests.
That said, our treatment plan is effective for both prevention and post-infection care, making it a proactive choice to safeguard your birch trees' health. Contact us today at (206) 735-4081 for a complimentary consultation and take the first step toward preserving your birch trees.
For more in-depth information, please read on below!
Contact Blooma Tree Experts for a free treatment or removal estimate in the Seattle, Washington area. Or call us at: (206) 735-4081.
Birch Tree Predators: Bronze Birch Borer
If you notice the top of your birch tree is dead or dying, your tree is most likely infested with the dreaded Bronze Birch Borer.
The Bronze Birch Borer (Agrilus anxius) is a small but formidable insect that poses a significant threat to birch trees, particularly in the greater Seattle area. While this metallic bronze beetle might not draw immediate attention due to its diminutive size, its impact on birch tree populations can be devastating if left unchecked.
Understanding the life cycle and behavior of the Bronze Birch Borer is crucial to combat its destructive tendencies. The adult beetles, measuring only around half an inch in length, emerge during the late spring or early summer. They are characterized by their striking metallic bronze or coppery coloration, which can make them challenging to spot amidst the leaves and bark of birch trees.
Adult beetles lay their eggs on the bark of birch trees, usually targeting weakened or stressed trees. Once hatched, the larvae tunnel into the tree, where they feed on the inner layers of bark, sapwood, and cambium—the critical tissues responsible for the tree's transport of water and nutrients. As they feed and grow, these larvae create characteristic winding galleries under the bark, causing structural damage and disrupting the tree's ability to transport vital resources.
The bronze birch borer will kill your birches if you don't act to stop it. We use a pesticide that is microinjected into each tree, thus avoiding a spray or ground treatment that may bother pets or children. We will remove the deadwood, also, to help improve the tree's health.
If a birch is 30% dead, or more, it should be removed – we'll give you a straight answer to make sure you're not wasting money trying to save a tree that's too far gone. Our arborists can help you remove the tree if need be, but we'll do what we can to save it first if you want to keep it around.
For birch tree services in the Seattle, Washington area, contact us online or give us a call at (206) 735-4081.
Pruning and Trimming Your Birch Trees
Regular pruning and trimming are essential for maintaining the health and aesthetics of birch trees. Our team at Blooma Tree Experts specializes in providing expert pruning services tailored to the specific needs of birch trees.
Proper pruning helps remove dead or infested branches, improves airflow, and enhances the tree's overall structure. Our arborists use industry-standard techniques to ensure that your birch trees receive the care they deserve, promoting healthy growth and reducing the risk of branch failure.
Diagnosis and Treatment: Combating Birch Tree Infestations
Birch trees are susceptible to various pests and diseases that can weaken or even kill them if left untreated. As part of our comprehensive birch tree services, Blooma Tree Experts offers expert diagnosis and treatment for common infestations that affect birch trees in Seattle. Our experienced arborists can identify the signs of infestation, such as yellowing leaves, defoliation, or the presence of pests like bronze birch borers or aphids.
How to Identify Birch Tree Infestations
Are you concerned that your birch tree might be infested? Here are some common signs to watch out for:
- Yellowing Leaves: If the leaves of your birch tree turn yellow prematurely or show signs of discoloration, it may indicate an infestation.
- Boring Holes: Inspect the trunk and branches for small holes, which can be a sign of the presence of bronze birch borers.
- Defoliation: Excessive leaf loss or defoliation can indicate an infestation, especially during the wrong season and in the upper canopy.
Preventative Measures for Birch Tree Infestations
Prevention is key when it comes to birch tree infestations. Here are a few measures you can take:
- Regular Inspections: Schedule regular inspections with a professional arborist to catch any signs of infestation early on.
- Preventative Microinjections: Schedule our team to complete microinjections of a pesticide that will target the Bronze Birch Borer. These treatments need to be done every 2 years while the tree is in full leaf-out. Make sure to water the tree well after the treatment is done.
- Maintain Tree Health: Keep your birch trees healthy through proper watering, mulching, and fertilization to increase their resistance to pests and diseases. Water & Fertilize! So, so important. And trust us, more water than you think you need. Trees that are drought-stressed are much more susceptible to the Bronze Birch Borer.
- Pruning and Trimming: Regularly prune your birch trees to remove dead or diseased branches and promote overall tree health.
Tree Healthcare Service Beyond Birch Trees
At Blooma Tree Experts, we take tree healthcare and plant healthcare seriously. We are pesticide-licensed through WSDA and have ISA-Certified Arborists on staff that specialize in identification & diagnosis of tree & plant-related diseases and pests.
The Birch tree infestations are one of the most common we see in the greater Seattle area, which is why we have this whole page dedicated to it. But we can help out with any number of tree & plant healthcare issues.
To learn more about our Tree Health services, read about them here!
Complimentary Birch Tree Treatment Consultation & Estimate
At Blooma Tree Experts, we are committed to providing top-notch birch tree services and treatments in the greater Seattle area. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation and give your birch trees the care they deserve.
As always, we will work with you to ensure our recommendations meet your objections & budget. For trees that are borderline (already infested, lots of dead canopy, but less than 30% of the canopy is dead), you should discuss with our arborist if the cost of ongoing care is too much for your budget. If so, we can discuss a removal & replanting option instead.
Contact Blooma Tree Experts for a free treatment or removal estimate in the Seattle, Washington area. Or call us at: (206) 735-4081.
