Any Silver Birch experts around?

I know this is the right forum but as there wasn't one for trees I figured this was the closest match - sorry this is a long one!

I have problems with my 2 silver birch trees, or at least I think I do. I live in a brand new house that was built in spring last year, I moved in at the beginning of July. It's hard to describe but the development of 6 houses was built on a small strip of land between houses and woodlands and the houses are built in such a way that the gardens are at the side of the house rather than the back. My house has a very small garden that had 4 mature Silver birch, 1 young maple (though alrealdy large), a young scots pine and a mature crab apple. All are within 4 metres or so of the house (one id 2 metres) and all bar one silver birch (the largest which was felled by the developer) had to stay as part of the planning permission. Because oif the trees the developer and planners agreed the garden should be completely paved so the remaining tree roots are 50% covered by .

I did like the trees but in the summer I didn't get a scrap of sun in the house or garden and I got a green patio in no time. I had discussions with the council and they waived the planning permission and allowed me to have some trees removed, so I had all but 2 silver birches and the scots pine removed. Now I get dappled sun through from late morning until 5ish.

Last year I was amazed at just how many seeds there were from the silver birch trees but this spring every single catkin has just fallen off them before maturing. The trees in themselves look healthy but I am now wondering what may be wrong. I am worried that the patio (which is laid on a base of concrete) covering half the roots will be stressing them. If it is because it wont now get sufficient water will the tree put out more roots to the side where it can get water? Could this be why all the catkins have fallen? Are the trees doomed? Incidently the scots pine has loads more cones than it did last summer.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Angela

[tootles]

If the trees are close to the house then much of the root system on that side of the tree will have been dug out in order to build the foundations. I have plain birch - not silver- but am assuming a fair bit of similarity. We had four huge monsters growing in a courtyard. We chopped them all down last year, but the roots are everywhere and they keep sending up new trees (inside the house - long story). While with the roots intact the wretched things seem indestructible I would suspect that the chopped roots maybe the source of your problem. It may sort itself out with new roots (??) It could also be a little unstable now too (??) You may need to get a professional opinion.

Sorry not to be more help. There is bound to be a tree expert here somewhere though!!