Paper birch branch dieback

[cumminskta]

Hey everyone,

I have a customer with a approx 6" dbh by 25' tall paper birch planted off the corner of her house. It's getting sporadic branch dieback mid crown (affected branches are under 1"and under) and on 2" dbh sucker sprouting from base. The top is in good shape and I couldn't find any bbb galleries/holes on dieing branches. The leaves on the affected branches have stayed on and show no signs of insect and disease damage. She doesn't apply chemicals to the lawn and there has been no root disturbances. Any ideas on what this could be? It appears to have the most consistent dieback heading over the lawn. Thanks!

http://cumminskta.imgur.com/all/

 

[sac-climber]

Your link says your profile is private, no pics. Once you get some pics up we can help you better, otherwise its just a guess.

 

[cumminskta]

Your link says your profile is private, no pics. Once you get some pics up we can help you better, otherwise its just a guess.

oops try it now

Thanks!

 

[sac-climber]

Hard to tell from the photo but, is this a frothy substance that looks like spit?

 

[cumminskta]

Hard to tell from the photo but, is this a frothy substance that looks like spit?

View attachment 365346

The gallery was dry. I'm thinking that may have been a secondary pest attacking after the branch had died.

 

[Raintree]

Classic Bronze Birch Borer damage symptoms, look again.

 

[cumminskta]

Classic Bronze Birch Borer damage symptoms, look again.

What do you mean by classic symptoms?