Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Birch Canker advice, 1 by MightyMission

MightyMission wrote:
Hi folks. I\'m about 99% sure my new River Birch has some sort of canker. The good news is the garden center guarantees it for a year, so I\'d like to replace it. My question is, is it okay to plant a new birch in relatively the same spot (say, 2-3 feet away)? Is the soil there forever contaminated? This is replacing an old black cherry that we had to remove due to peach borers. Pictures of an infected trunk attached. The canker appears on two of the three main trunks. Thanks for any help!!