Trees - River Birch
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  (May) I was given a gift of a river birch tree and planted it in March of this year. It has done very well and attention has been on proper watering. I live in Hot Springs and the soil is very rocky, but when planting I added a lot of amendments and fertilizer. Yesterday I noticed the leaves are gnarled and withered, have grey "stuff" underneath which resemble either a fungus or webs. I searched the internet today and can only find diseases of river birch to be borers (which are no signs) or birch leaf miner, for which there are no signs on the tops of the leaves. I would appreciate your suggestion and/or opinions in this matter. 

  I have seen a few others with the same problem, and believe it or not, it is aphids. the tiny white mass along the mid-rib on the underside of the leaf is aphids, which are hitting the new growth, and causing the leaves to curl and even get a bit discolored already. Orthene or a similar systemic should do the job. You can use a contact spray, however, the damage I have seen has the leaves curled and protecting the sucking insects inside.

  (August) Do you know why my paperbark river birch is shedding its leaves this time of the year? 

  Birch trees thrive on loads of water. When the temperatures heat up, and rainfall declines, these trees begin leaf shed. Even with regular watering from a sprinkler system, there is usually not enough moisture to keep them from shedding unless the tree is planted by a pond, stream or boggy area. It is a nuisance, but it usually doesn't harm the tree.

  Enclosed are three leaves that are from plants that are very precious to me. I went to visit the area where I grew up and found these trees growing in our pasture. There are doing well and have growth well. I have had them for two years. I would like to know what they are and how tall they will eventually grow. Thanks so much. 

  Plant number one is a river birch. This tree likes moisture and has wonderful scaly bark as it ages. It will eventually grow 30 - 40 feet in height. The second tree is a willow oak. This makes a wonderful shade tree, reaching eventually 60- 80 feet tall. The third tree is a member of the red oak family --either a scarlet oak or a black oak. The leaves should be much larger than they are now.

  My River Birch is dropping leaves like crazy. It is very tall - probably 20-30 feet, faces due west. I have been letting water dribble on it for 8 hours or so, a couple of times a week. Does it need more water and if so how much? While it is a beautiful tree it sheds leaves and our garage and driveway end up with most of them. The river birch at the other end of the house (same size- probably planted at the same time ) does not shed nearly as much. Do these trees just shed or do I need to drown it? Also, do red bud trees require some shade. I got a small one from a friend and she said I could plant in full sun, however, I usually see these trees shaded?

  River birch trees drop leaves as soon as the weather heats up and dries out. Regardless of how much you are watering, unless it is in a wet location, it will drop leaves. I think the difference in your two trees, is one seems to be nearer the building and concrete–which limits the root system, while the other has more yard to grow in, and take up moisture in. This is one of the reasons, I often don't recommend planting them in a typical yard. It shouldn't hurt the tree, provided you are watering some. Redbuds do great in full sun or partial shade.

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