About six paperbark birches in near proximity are dropping leaves as if it were December!

The leaves are slightly lighter in color, and subtlely spotted or Finely stipled with an all-over pattern.

Are there any known blights around Atlanta, GA which might be at play here?

Reply to post by A E King, on May 19, 2003 at 14:58:58:

Are they sticky?

Reply to post by A E King, on May 19, 2003 at 14:58:58:

Are you sure the trees are Betula papyrifera, or could they be European White Birch? Georgia seems awfully far south of Paper birch native range.
I usually associate stippling with sucking insects such as mites, thrips, lacebugs, etc.
If it's a leaf miner, I believe you should see the mining trails in the leaf.

Weakened trees often seem more attractive to sucking insect pests, esp. if they are heat and water-stressed.

http://www.treehelp.com/trees/birch/trees-species-birch-types-paper.asp

http://www.forestpests.org/sucking.html