The males are about 3/8-inch long, while the female is 1/2-inch long. In addition, not all birch varieties are equally susceptible to the bronze birch borer. Eggs hatch in 2 weeks or less, and the slender larvae tunnel immediately into the phloem tissue to construct their galle… Heritage river birch has light colored bark that may be acceptible as a substitute. Exotic pests pose a significant threat to urban trees (e.g. Bronze birch borer attacks mostly nonnative, white-barked birches as their growth starts to slow down, typically when the trees reach 10 or more years old. Trees generally die after about two or three years, that is, after two or three infestations by the larvae. street tree planting width: 6 feet. courtesy photo. The first indication that a tree is infested with borers is wilting and dying of the leaves in the upper crown, which is not obvious by casual looking. In the spring, spray or paint the trunk of the tree with, If signs of the birch borer are identified during the season inject the tree with, Ensure that the tree is watered regularly and is fertilized with a low nitrogen fertilizer. Trees improve air quality, provide cooling and habitat and are a significant part of our culture. Besides being more resistant to the Bronze Birch Borer, river birch (Betula nigra) features peeling bark which adds to its interest in all seasons. Call 715-797-5641 or click to contact us. The twolined chestnut borer (A. bilineatus) feeds on white and red oak. Many birch trees like the yellow and grey, as well as white, paper, and cut-leaf weeping birches are at greater risk of bronze birch borer attack than others. Bronze Birch Borers. Native to North America, the bronze birch borer is a major pest of all species of birch. Normally birch trees enjoy cool, boggy surroundings, generally near water, so birches in more urban areas can also be more vulnerable. This species spends the winter as larvae in a boat-shaped depression just under the bark of the tree. Bronze birch borer adults are slender, dark, iridescent, often greenish-bronze, beetles. At least three birch trees have been reported as being resistant to bronze birch borer. Newly introduced exotic pests are often more successful because they have been introduced without th… Betula nigra ‘Renaissance Oasis’, Renaissance River Birch is another heat tolerant selection. The are monarch birch, Betula maximowieziana, the Japanese birch, Betula platyphylla and the river birch, Betula nigra. It’s illegal to import live trees from the USA or Canada. The adult is somewhat ventrally flat-tened with antennae one-quarter the body length. The good news is that healthy, well-situated, well-maintained birches are more resistant to the borer. Betula nigra ‘Heritage’™ has white, exfoliating bark and tolerates wet, poorly drained soils and is resistant to bronze birch borer. This large beetle lays its eggs underneath the bark of the tree, and the larvae burrow through the growing areas (cambium layer) and by preventing the movement and food and water through the tree they soon kill it. in boreal and north temperate forests. It is important that the tree’s vitality is maintained as a strong and healthy tree is less of a target for the Birch borer and a healthy tree is better able to self-repair some of the damage done by the birch borer. Bronze Birch Borer is a more serious pest because it kills trunks, causing the death of most or all of the tree. Of the number of pests which are attracted the birch trees, the bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius) is the most important as it is both lethal and difficult to control. Bronze birch borer overwinters in feeding galleries as a mature larva, pupating in early spring. People love their chalky white birch trees. In addition, not all birch varieties are equally susceptible to the bronze birch borer. Whitespire is a Japanese white-barked birch that is only attacked when under severe stress; bronze birch borer infestation is limited under good growing conditions. Unfortunately, so does a tiny insect that causes big problems. With over 30 years of experience in Tree Work and the highest tree certification in the state of NJ, Mike is qualified in all matters of tree care, diagnosis, appraisal, hazard assessment and removal. The River Birch, in particular, seems to resist the insect, while the Silver Birch is particularly susceptible. When trees are stressed, they are much more susceptible to insect pests. The borers’ tunneling weakens and kills trees by interrupting the flow of sap. Mature Height: 50 feet. Glossy, light green leaves turn yellow in the fall. River birch is resistant to bronze birch borer, a destructive pest on many other birch species. Precision Tree and Landscaping, LLC is owned and operated by Certified Tree Expert, Mike Virgil. The larvae, which does the damage, are unseen, feeding on the vascular tissue under the bark. Bronze birch borers exit trees through holes like the one shown here. The bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius) feeds on birch. The bronze birch borer, Agrilus anxius, is a beetle that is native to North America. Prune out and destroy all dead or dying branches. © 2014 Tree Savvy LLC – Birch for a list of the most common birch pests and stresses in Minnesota. Adult beetles begin to emerge from late May to early June in central Minnesota (including the Twin Cities). The Bronze Birch Borer, (Agrilus anxions), is a native flat-headed wood boring beetle which attacks Birch and Beech trees. The adult beetles may feed on leaves, but cause relatively little damage. Photo: Helen Battersby . Protecting Your Portland Birch Tree My research says watering your trees regularly before they are infected is a huge step toward preventing the disease. Generally, the bronze birch borer is the culprit feasting on the wood of the river birch. Trees are an important part of our environment and our society. Activity will be approximately 7 days earlier for southern Minnesota and 7 … If caught early enough, there are insecticides available to prevent new infestations of the borer but these will not kill larvae already active in the tree. By the time the affect on the tree is visible, it may be too late to treat them. As the weather warms in spring, the larvae resume feeding. Spring or Fall are the ideal time to apply treatments to the tree, and should be done for valued, vulnerable birch trees yearly. The Best Shrubs and Hedges for New Jersey Lawns. The insects are also attracted to tree wounds and so care should be taken to avoid damaging the bark of trees. Min. This selection of river birch is resistant to the bronze birch borer, thus being a great replacement for birches being killed by this insect. Bronze birch borers attack trees weakened by age, environmental stresses, or previous insect attacks. Heritage River Birch in winter. A healthy Birch can easily resist the Bronze Birch Borer, but those Birches affected by drought, injury, disease, sun scald, or poor soil quality are more susceptible. It occurs throughout the range of birch in Canada and in all U.S. states between Maine and Idaho. The legless borer has two brown, pincer-like structures found at the tip of the abdomen. The bronze birch borer beetle has become a serious pest in our state. Visit What's wrong with my plant? Bronze birch borer adults are slender, dark, iridescent, often greenish-bronze, beetles. There are also preventative treatments that may be applied.