Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous Trees > Birch > Leaf drop during the growing season
Birch > Leaves > Leaf drop during the growing season
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Birch anthracnose or leaf spot
Cryptocline betularum, Discula betulina and others
- Infected leaves fall from tree even if still partly green
- Leaves on lower branches most affected
- Leaf spots may be 1/8th to 3/8th inch brown spots to large brown blotches surrounded by yellow tissue (C. betularum)
- Leaf spots may be 1/8th inch wide brown rings with a light center surrounded by yellow tissue (D. betulina)
- Common in years with wet rainy spring weather
- More information on Birch anthracnose
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Birch rust
Melampsoridium betulinum
- Severe infection can cause leaves to turn brown and fall off prematurely
- Angular yellow leaf spots turn brown in the center with age
- Raised yellow to orange pustules form on the lower surface of leaf spots midsummer and may release powdery orange spores
- Occurs in cool, damp weather
- More information on Birch rust
