River birch dropping branches

13 years ago

Hello,

This spring -mid-May actually - I moved into a new house that has 4 river birch trees planted in the front yard. The leaves provide a lovely foliage, but the trees are dropping twigs and thin dead branches constantly! They have no leaves on them, so clearly the dropping twigs are dead. I would understand this dropping after a big storm or something, but virtually every day there are more of them. The trees themselves look healthy: lots of green leaves, no yellowing or dropping of leaves yet.

A bit of history: many years ago, the house used to be a store and the front yard was a parking lot. I haven't dug in to find out, but it may be a case of topsoil layered on top of concrete or firm gravel.

Unfortunately the only picture I have at the moment is one taken in the winter - but here it is for what it is worth. I'll post a new one later.

I do love these trees and want them to thrive. What can I do about the dropping twigs? Thank you for your help!

Featured Answer

Sara Malone Zone 9b

13 years ago

They need a lot of water - hence the name. I'm so unfamiliar with gardening in your zone that I won't add any more, but there are lots of others on this Forum who are nearer to you and will likely have some thoughts for you.

Good luck!

Sara

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
we need a current pic

ken
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chartreuse_thumb
Original Author
13 years ago
Here is one current pic
shillanorth Z4 AB
13 years ago
I have an approximately 50 year old cutleaf weeping birch and it has dropped small twigs/branches for as long as I can remember - not nearly as many as a poplar or willow but always something on the lawn especially after a windy day. It`s not that much of a problem for me but then it`s only 1 tree as opposed to your 4.
whaas_5a
13 years ago
Yep, completely normal. My River Birch had a very dense canopy and would drop fine litle twiggy branches all the time.

I'd just mow over them if they got in the grass.
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
13 years ago
My neighbor has a large 3 pack. It looks pretty healthy but has always dropped twigs.
chartreuse_thumb
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the feedback! I trimmed out some easy-to-reach dead twigs/branches this past weekend, and am just adjusting to the idea of sweeping the sidewalk often. I still love these trees - just wish they weren't quite so messy. Ah well.
Brian Onge
11 years ago
Mine are 12 years old and drop small branches almost constantly. And a windy day finds those that don't come down on their own.