Why do birch trees shed their bark

Take a closer look if your tree looks unhealthy. There are many tree diseases and pests that can affect ash, pine, oak, and maple trees. The Emerald Ash Borer can burrow underneath an ash tree and smooth patch disease is a fungus that attacks the out layer of oak trees.

If you find any signs of pest or disease—sawdust, oozing cankers, dead leaves, or a fuzzy fungus—contact the tree care specialists at Arborist Now. Trees with splits in the bark can live for many years if the damaged area is narrow. Hardwood trees that have peeling bark may be suffering from a fungal disease called Hypoxylon canker.

Peeling bark caused by this disease is accompanied by yellowing and wilting leaves and dying branches. Additionally, the wood under the peeling bark is covered with a mat of fungus. As there is no cure for this disease, the tree should be removed, and the wood destroyed to prevent the spread of the fungus. The stately, large conifer thrives along waterways and in groves.

Its reddish-brown bark becomes darker with age and will sometimes peel off in vertical strips. This peeling is nothing to worry about, as it is a normal part of its regenerative process. This native tree has exceptionally strong wood — hence the name.

The dark green foliage turns bright lemon yellow in the fall. The light, flaky bark creates a pattern of vertical stripes that appear to be shredding at the ends. A large, durable shade tree, the lacebark elm can grow to 50 feet tall and is one of the hardiest elm trees. Prized for its exfoliating bark, the trunk of the lacebark elm is a stunning melange of gray, green, orange, and brown.

This small deciduous tree is famous for its showy red and orange fall color and its coppery-orange shedding bark. The bark peels off in large curls, which cling to the branches and trunk, creating a lovely contrast to the rosy-brown inner bark of the tree. Like a snake shedding its skin, the redbud will shed bark from time to time as it grows.

Adding to the chromatic richness, the smooth new bark underneath is often multicolored, sometimes even green. Outer bark is made of dead tissue. Non-exfoliating trees like oaks have trunks and branches that develop furrow-like gaps in their outer bark as they grow in diameter. I have modern art, and it looked fantastic against a truer white, for example.

SO many people commented on pieces I had in the same spot, thinking they were new, because the background color made so much difference. I would say take a while to think about what you want to do. As I said, this is not the end of the world. It can be fixed. I agree the drought can have a major effect on water-loving birches.

We had 7 river birches at our previous home. At the time, the drought wasn't an issue, and they got plenty of water. We lost 5 of ours because of that I was SICK about it.

I've been told the cold winters in other parts of the country help kill off the borers, but they can thrive here with our weather. Not sure that's your problem If it's not the problem, it's still good to know about it. I drive around and see birch after birch that's been hit by those freaking pests.

We can both pray for rain but, unfortunately, adequate water didn't help with the borers. Huggorm 7 years ago.

On birch trees, does the bark grow back? Looks exactly as that tree should look to me. Related Stories. Pick this rugged native tree for its intriguing peeling bark, soil adaptability or leaves that bring dappled shade to a garden. Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives. Try one of these earth-friendly tips before stuffing your dingy carpet or rug in the trash. By Erin Lang Norris. Save time and water with good-looking alternatives to turf grass.