Problem with Silver Birch, Any Ideas ?

I have a group of 5 or 6 Silver Bitch at the bottom of my garden, they are 15 year old plus trees and a fair size now, they are a great wind break and look good, well they did. This year one of them has not leafed up, and appears dead. Nothing on it that I can see. The others are fine, and in full leaf. Any ideas why this one tree has gone to the great forrest in the Sky ???

 

they're not long-lived trees, although in my experience they last a bit longer than that, Davie. I hope someone else has some suggestions.

 

http://www.british-trees.com/guide/silverbirch.htm - rather confirms what I said! But doesn't really help, I'm afraid. Try RHS site, on their problem solver - http://www.rhs.org.uk

 

Somethings up that's for sure! Although short lived (for trees) you should get more than 40 years out of a Silver Birch. They do like a lot of water so maybe the one that's succumbed has been too dry. The other possibility is the dreaded Honey Fungus - if so it will be looking for another victim :(

Check the soil near your trees for black 'bootlaces' and if you find any trace of it then drench the root area of your healthy trees with a solution of Armillatox

 

I have been in Walnut Cottage for over 20 years, and our silver birch were well established when we came. Only thing we do to them is - oh and I hate to admit this, my husband sometimes washes them as he likes them to look clean.

we are on wet land, so may be something in what frogesque says.