River birch advice/help

jallen76

We planted a river birch clump about 8 weeks ago.  It is on the side of our house.  We live in W. Michigan in zone 5, clay soil and has been monitored for water.  Not too wet, or dry...as we can tell.  We had a stretch of hot weather over the weekend (90's) and on Monday I noticed half of the tree's leaves were brown and shrivled up.  Mostly on the top half, or if it is a branch the outer half of the branches leaves. See pix:

 Not sure if they are the best pictures.

First of all...what is going on?  Second, what can or should I do?  Ahh...this was a beautiful tree and a chunk of $$  I don't want it to die. 

Does it look dry?  Too wet/moist?  Shocked from the heat?

 Help!

 

TarHeels&Rebels

I'd say water.  New trees need LOTS of water.

Here are the water guidelines for established birches.

Sufficient water is probably the single most important factor in maintaining a healthy birch tree. If rainfall is insufficient, supplemental watering may become necessary. During the growing season a slow (2-3 hours), deep (8-18 inches) watering once per week is a general rule for maintaining adequate soil moisture. Infrequent, light waterings are not recommended. Laying a hose on the ground and allowing it to run slowly over the root zone is a very good technique for ensuring adequate watering. A soil that can be formed into a ball in your hand has sufficient moisture; loose, dry soil that crumbles in your hand indicates the need for additional watering. Watering should be decreased by late August to allow for proper winterization of a tree.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_birch/ht_birch.htm

~NB~

Leaf scorch can be caused by different things. Sometimes it is bacterial, sometimes it has environmental causes, such as lack of adequate water, or wind burn that happens when the tree is transported in the back of an open car or truck (did you transport the tree this way?).

jallen76

It was transported in the back of a trailer. But wouldn't this show up earlier than 8 weeks out?

 Will a tree recover from "leaf scorch?"  What can be done, if anything? 

~NB~

jallen76:

It was transported in the back of a trailer. But wouldn't this show up earlier than 8 weeks out? Usually, but were you looking for it? It could easily have gone unnoticed for a few weeks. If you aren't looking for symptoms, you are unlikely to see them in the early stages.

 Will a tree recover from "leaf scorch?"  What can be done, if anything? If it is dessication, you need to increase the water. Regardless of how much you think you're doing, odds are high that it needs more water (Birch can tolerate flooding, so don't hold back). If it is bacterial scorch (which you won't really know until next year), I wouldn't recommend treating it. Treatment is expensive and of limited value. The best solution is replacement.

another KT

Many nurseries will guarantee their trees and bushes for a number of months.