Question
i have a 30ft birch tree with 3 main trunks sprouting out.  One of the trunks
looks like its dying from the top down.  All the leaves on this one trunk are
gone.  Dont know what to do.  I would like to keep the tree.  Is it possible to just
cut that one trunk off.  Someone told me that birches get diseases very easily on
long island and that is better to just take the whole tree out.  What do i do?

Answer
Danielle,

The stem was probably killed by Bronze Birch Borer. I would not be surprised if the other two stems were not also infested. This insect burrows under the bark of the tree slowly killing it. I would recommend contacting a tree company to have them do micro injections for this devestating insect. Also, remove the dead leader to slow down the insects spreading.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen