Expert: Jim Hyland - 6/23/2009

Question
We recently moved into a home that has a white birch. It doesn't seem to be that old.
It appears to be dead. All last years foliage is brown and still attached to branches, there doesn't seem to be new growth.

I've watered it long and often to no avail.
I've recently gave it some miracle gro.

It is a beautiful tree and I'd hate to lose it. Can you give us some suggestions on how to bring it back?


Answer
First start check and see if the tree is still alive. Start near the end of an upper outer branch and scrape a small bit of bark off the branch. If the color under the bark is green the branch is still alive. If the color under the bark is not green (brown) the branch is dead at this point on the branch. If brown continue down the branch scraping at intervals until you find green or reach the main trunk. If not green is found try other branches. If you can not find any green the tree is dead and should be replaced
If you find green you can wait until the tree leafs out or you can prune off the dead parts. If you find no green there is nothing that can be done to bring it back. Sorry!