Birch trees

by Elaine Poulin
(Erin, ontario)

I moved into a new house that has a birch tree which hangs over my driveway. In the fall I notice what looks like misty rain on my car windows, it won't come off when I wipe it. I guess this is sap from the tree would this be the birch leaf miner? I was told to use Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control. To applied as a drench at the base of the tree. Apply it when the soil thaws and as the new growth is just beginning. I notice that you mentioned to spray the leafs. I don't know how I would do that, the tree is big. My question is would spraying around the base work and would compost be enough food for the tree? I live in Zone 5b.
Thank-You

Doug says that the sap is a pain in the anatomy for cars and other hard surfaces but it's a fact of nature - not pests. Evergreens also give off a sticky pollen and some poplars do the sappy thing. Nature!

So there is some sap that comes off some plants but again - not an insect problem but rather a simple fact of nature.

The use of any pesticide isn't going to stop the plant in a natural process.

And I don't recommend spraying any noxious chemical but only spraying the organics in my article listed below. If you decide to use a pesticide on this plant, then you *must* follow the directions on the label. In fact, you *must* follow the directions on any label (organic or chemical) for rates and applications.

The suggestion to spray something to kill a pest that isn't the problem is worrisome and indicates that whoever is giving you advice isn't really trying to help or doesn't know a darn thing about trees. What they're repeating is the mantra of sell you something - anything. And a systemic to kill off everything it touches is their first choice.

If you have birch leaf miner - you can control it organically - read this article But pollen or sap on your car isn't a symptom of this pest.