Not sure but I've seen lots of them over the years with top die back. One time at the the local garden show they said that it's a age related issue, at around 20 to 30 years, my nigbour had the same thing and he cut it back, about 5 years ago, it grew up again and looking pretty good.

do NOT top the tree .. w/o at least giving us a picture ...

besides.. if i read your note right.. you simply say is droopy ... dont all birch droop on new growth????

dead is dead.. but droopy is not ...

ken

Assuming the leavers are still green, then it is not borer. Additionally, if your friend is Zone 2, then likely not borer. This time of year, the new wood is weak and the leaves are unfurled, making for droopy branches, especially at the top. Some of those branches on mine get whipped by the wind in the frequent thunderstorms, but the ones that make it through this adolescence fill in the space.

Thanks for the replies. He's in Ontario, but we certainly DO have birch borer issues in zone 2. I think a lot of people think twice of planting birch trees because of this risk.