Question From:
Matt Jackson in Point Cook , Melbourne VIC
Nature of problem:
Bumps/lumps appearing on my Silver Birch tree
Type of Plant (if known):
Silver Birch
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
Bbumps/lumps appearing on the trunk of the tree leading up & out to the branches. Some leaf drop. Scratch away lump it has a whitish centre
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
Predominantly clay soil. when tree was planted soil was improved.
How often do you water the plant:
Only when it rains
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
8 hrs. Planted on the northern aspect.
What type of plant is it:
Silver birch
How long since you planted it:
2007
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
Twice yearly. Scotts osmocote “Landscape formula all purpose wirh trace elements”
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
out doors
What other treatments have you given the plant:
none
Upload photo if available:
20150101_135723.jpg
Other Comments:
Hi Don, you answer my question last week but only the photo of the beetle was uploaded. I’m resending my question with a photo of the bumps/lumps on my silver birch tree so you can better understand what is appearing on my tree. I’ve scratched away one of the lumps and there appears to be a whitish centre (can only upload one photo). The tree is situated in a meter wide garden bed with another silver birch beside it. This silver birch is every healthy with new growth and no signs of bumps/lumps on the trunk.
Answer: Thanks for the extra photo Matt. That confirms my view from last week. Bacterial infections due to poor growing conditions. Remember that this a lottery: with poor conditions. perhaps less than 50% of trees will get sick. Don
