We have a 3 year old river birch in our yard that has a 3" trunk. We are entirely organic and have been for 4 years. The tree was fine last year. This spring it leafed out on a few of the branches, and leaves turned brown and died. There are some leaves on the lower trunk, but it is entirely bare. I assume the tree has died. Can anyone give me an idea why? Is it possible the tree might recover, or should we just take it out?
Thanks,
KMooney

I've found they do fine here with a bit of extra water.

Essentially, to the normal watering the whole yard gets, once a week I'll leave the hose on the ground in its root zone and let it trickle for an hour or so. Mine's also planted down-slope where runoff from the rest of the yard ends there.

They just like a bit of extra water. Last year, if you recall, the first 2/3 of the year had more rain than is normal. This last 9 mos or so we've been under the normal amounts.

Baby it with some extra water (don't go nuts though) and watch what happens.

_________________
Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.