Shed a tear for the city’s poor weeping birches
By Lethbridge Herald on June 10, 2025.
Sam Leishman
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Time for the local weeping birch tree population is rapidly coming to an end. The once majestic white-barked trees that have dominate some areas of the city for decades are facing serious illness and, in many cases, death.
Ethan Champion, a City of Lethbridge urban forestry technician, explained to the Herald that tree health is very complex.
Age is one factor.
Champion says birch have a naturally shorter lifespan compared to other species such as oak or pine. That life is often made even shorter in an urban environment, he adds, where trees are contending with pollution and more frequent interactions with humans that can cause damage over time.
Weeping birch aren’t a native species to this part of the world either.
They are largely found in the taiga forests of Eurasia, according to Champion, where they thrive in a cool, wet climate. Establishing such trees here in Lethbridge required the help of plenty of irrigation.
“Recently, with these wild temperature swings that we get – the droughts and the really hot summers – the birch trees are suffering,” Champion says.
Pests are among the biggest concerns, as well.
Champion says bronze birch borer is a native pest to paper birch trees in North America’s boreal forests. The insects carry a fungus on their body that damages the internal systems of a tree that transport water and other nutrients, similar to the effects of Dutch Elm Disease.
Unfortunately, Champion believes it’s likely that the insect was introduced to the city through the movement of firewood at some point, and weeping birch have little immunity.
“There are some that do show a natural resistance to the insect and have more of a hardiness to them, and they can deal better with drought and heat conditions… It could be because of genetic anomalies within the birch trees. It could be practices from homeowners, perhaps getting more water and better care. But, in general, the birch trees are not looking too great across the city.”
Grant Colling, an arborist and the owner of Grant’s Plants, echoes that sentiment.
An injection to kill the bugs within the tree was once considered the best possible treatment along with proper pruning and fertilizing, according to Colling. However, he now says that the problem is irreversible once the bugs get in.
“When [bronze birch borer] drill into a tree, they don’t close the door behind them,” Colling explained. “The cellulose that holds the tree up and holds the tree together is what starts to break down. It’s a naturally occurring fungus, so there are no fungicides that slow or reduce the process.”
Colling says the rot that ensues stops the injection from being able to move throughout the tree and attack the problem effectively. He has noticed that some weeping birches are dying within a single season lately because of the rot.
While Colling isn’t offering removal services himself anymore, he says some homeowners could be facing a hefty bill in the range of $1,500 to $2,000 to remove a dying tree from their private property.
Both Champion and Colling say there was a strong industry effort to save the weeping birch and it will be a significant loss, but it’s not all bad news.
“It’s sad because they are beautiful trees and they’ve been a part of Lethbridge heritage for a long time,” Colling noted. “I’ve been through a lot of cities and I’ve never seen so many birch trees in one community like I have in Lethbridge, but we have an opportunity here to start developing more diversity. Diversity with people is good, and diversity with trees is even better!”
Champion says the City has stopped planting birch trees and those on public land in the worst stages of decline are being systematically removed. Instead, trees with less pest issues are being chosen, including linden, maple, honey locust and oak.
Colling is suggesting the same species, plus Ohio buckeye, butternut and elm, to his customers, which he says are smaller and easier to care for than weeping birch, as well.
22-21
A word of caution on Ohio Buckeye, they are poisonous to dogs. All parts, leaves, bark and the fruit (the buckeye). Something you aren’t told when you buy them!