Weeping Birch Seed Production and Borer Prevention

26-year weeping birch producing heavy seed crops is normal maturity—not stress. Bronze birch borer prevention requires maintaining vigor, not just injections.

Seed Production Reality

• Increases with age/size—sign of reproductive maturity
• Not a distress signal
• Annual variation normal

Borer Prevention Strategy

1. Water deeply: Birches need consistent moisture
2. No fall/spring pruning: Bleeding sap stresses tree
3. Trunk spray: Chlorpyrifos (Dursban) in June, 3x at 3-week intervals
4. Systemic option: Imidacloprid soil drench (Bayer Advanced) - apply early

Injection Cost Assessment

$180 for 6 vials is reasonable for professional injection. But annual sprays/drenches cost far less. DIY soil drench with imidacloprid = $20-30/year. Maintain vigor—healthy birches resist borers naturally.