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These are pictures of my birch tree which seems to be dying branch by branch. The branches with the most growth seem to be doing the worst. What do you advise? Thank you, Kathy

Answer

Hi Kathy,
Unfortunately, you have a Gray Birch tree which only lives about 20 years. It is dying a slow death and there's nothing that can be done about the existing tree.

The good news is that you can rejuvenate the tree next spring by cutting the existing trunks (stems) to the ground. New stems will emerge from the stumps to form a new multi-stem tree. The best time to do this is April - June when the sap begins to flow from up from the roots.

I would also suggest you add some compost and/or leaf litter around the stumps to introduce extra nutrients. Good Luck.

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About Linda Lillie

Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.

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