I simply love the overall look of 'Heritage' River Birch trees. The 'Dura Heats' are reported to withstand planting areas that drain better and that may encounter more drying out in the hottest parts of summer, when rains are less apt to occur. Personally though, the 'Dura Heat' birches seem to display a little more yellow than I would prefer to see in a birch tree's bark. The leaves also do not seem to be as nicely shaped or colored as the Heritage Birch tree's leaves. Bottom line; I guess whichever birch cultivar you plant needs to the cultivar that is more compatable with the soil conditons and climate that the tree will encounter in its intended planting site. Still personally I prefer the Heritage Birch tree cultivar over most others. There are even prettier cultivars than Heritage Birch, but any those others that happen to tolerate my USDA zone area seem to be more prone to Birch borers or even other pests, which feed off the leaves of such birch trees.

This first sentence is the answer: "If it is really hot, then watering, and spraying the leaves, every day may well be necessary." I'd simply add that you're dealing with transplant shock and that it is very normal under your current conditions for the entire tree to defoliate but to also, come back. It is entirely possible the tree may re-foliate this year even. Or, it may send most of it's energy to the rootball at this time. It's the tree's choice basically. I believe that keeping up on water will keep it alive on both top and bottom. When, or if you notice the buds dying, then expect the birch to sucker and as mentioned above, you'll need to remove any portions that do not re-foliate next spring and select new emerging growth for the style you wish for (clump or single trunk). If you have a cultivar of River Birch, then the new suckers that come up may not be be true to cultivar form but since you did not mention this, I won't assume. And this only applies for grafted trees. Trees produced from cuttings (I'd have to look River Birch propagation up to know for sure) - will produce suckers true to form. Yes, they are produced from cuttings. Dirr and Heuser (2006) confirm this. Dax Dirr, Michael A and Heuser, Charles, Jr. ÂThe Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation: From Seed to Tissue CultureÂ; (Second Edition 2006); Varsity Press, Inc. ISBN: 0942375092 or ISBN: 13: 978-0-942375-09-1

drought .... and sprinklers are never good enough.. unless you are running it for 4 to 6 hourstop actually get a good soil soaking ... with a hand trowel.. dig a 4 to 6 inch hole.. 4.. on the compass points.. a foot or two from the tree .... AND FIND OUT HOW DRY IT IS... in the soil ... i dont understand how so many peeps jump to blight.. with some leaf discoloration ... i am not even sure its a real thing.. frankly.. if you dont have some leaf discoloration on trees in august... you live in eden ... you didnt mention how long its been in the ground.. etc .... if such is relevant ... ken

Molly, It is fairly common for River Birch and other trees like Tulip Tree to drop some leaves in prolonged hot weather like were having. But if you're watering and the leaves are still turning yellow and falling maybe it is a pest or disease problem. Birch trees do have a problem with borers although River Birch is supposed to be resistant. Do an internet search on bronze birch borers maybe that's what it is.