Paper birch dying

[editorialwe]

Hey guys, any help would be greatly appreciated. These two birch trees were planted on the same day 12 years ago. Starting last year, the one started only having leaves at the very top. The only difference I can tell is that there’s hydrangeas by the one that’s not doing good. Could they be causing it? Or could it be too much mulch (landscapers just keep adding layers of mulch for the last two or three years). Any other ideas? Thanks!

 

[JKamp]

I have two birch trees right next to each other, one is twice the size and the smaller one has a lot of branch die back. I have been reading that a lot of it has to do with soil compaction and soil PH level. It makes sense because the struggling tree is right by the driveway and likely cannot get the proper nutrients with its shallow root system. I am going to be doing a soil test to see if I can aid with iron supplementation.

 

[Raintree]

I'm thinking we're looking at river birch not paper birch?
Asymmetrical lower crown decline in birch is always a challenge diagnosis.
I'm guessing these lower limbs did not leaf out this spring and this is not a result of defoliation.
Over the years I have found the number one suspected issue is herbicide use in the root zone. Weed killers in the mulch bed or lawn.