Walter Reeves explains why a river birch tree might be shedding lots of leaves and why a crape myrtle tree might be send up suckers.

Brown birch trees in both Southcentral and Interior Alaska this summer aren’t signaling an early fall. Rather, they are subject to an infestation of small, leaf-munching larvae.

A fairly fast-growing tree, river birch can reach a height of 70 feet or more. Native throughout the eastern U.S., it is typically found on the banks of rivers and streams as well as in floodplains.

Birch trees are native to areas with significant precipitation, not to arid areas. They grow best along rivers and waterways. They need water all year round, not just in the summer. With our often-dry ...

But when you slow down to look closely, you’ll discover that all trees bloom. For most species, such as familiar maples, oaks, birches, their flowers tend to be subtle.