Expert: Jim Hyland - 3/28/2007

Question
I live in North Carolina. My river birch tree has been leaking water from its branches. It drips almost continuously in a few places. Is this normal? If not, what do you recommend?

Answer
Yes this is normal. River birch transpire a great amount of water-this is especially true in the spring when the pressure is higher to push the sap from the roots to the new leaves. Normally you see this after branches have been pruned in the spring or maybe broken off. It can happen with no wounding of the branches. I would not be concerned it will lessen as the warmer months come. Nothing really needs to be done.