If the birch tree suffers from fungal infection, you as a garden owner can often do little to help the tree. Most of the time these are so-called weakness parasites that choose old or otherwise weakened trees in order to colonize them. Cutting errors can also result in fungus and rot. Get to know the most common birch fungi - and find out how to react correctly in the event of an infestation.
How can you combat and prevent fungal infestation on birch trees?
If birch fungus is infested, you should remove the affected areas including the fruiting bodies and use fungicides on cuts. A species-appropriate location and wound closure after cutting measures help prevent fungal infestation.
Identifying birch trees under fungal attack
If a birch tree has pests, they are usually small creatures that cause problems for the tree by intensively eating the leaves. A fungal attack, on the other hand, tends to weaken the birch from the inside. Fungi can cause brown or white rot and cause the tree to die sooner or later. Especially in the case of white rot, the tree is at risk of tipping over. Since this is always associated with a danger to people, you should have the birch professionally inspected at the latest because of this risk.
Experts such as foresters or nursery staff may be able to help you combat the fungi. They also know at what stage it becomes inevitable to cut down the birch tree. An existing fungal infestation can rarely be de alt with on your own. However, birch trees are generally susceptible to fungal and moss infestation. However, this is often limited, allows the tree to continue to live vitally for many years and does not require any treatment.
The most common mushrooms in birch trees
- Birch porling: kidney-shaped and whitish, occurs via branch breaks
- Flat Lackporling: very flat, brown inside with white outer edge
- Vermilion sponge: only up to ten centimeters tall and vermilion red, turns wood red
- Tinder fungus: light gray with inwardly curved underside
Fighting birch fungus yourself
If you notice so-called fruiting bodies, you should remove them immediately to prevent the fungi from spreading further. Fungicides can be used as a preventive measure, for example if the tree was injured during cutting. However, less experienced gardeners should seek comprehensive advice before using a fungicide.
However, the best prevention against fungi is provided by a species-appropriate location for the birch tree. The balance in a natural garden produces he althy, vital trees that are significantly less susceptible to fungal attack. If you make larger cuts, it is advisable to then provide the wounds with wound closure.