Western Red Cedar tree Dying - Ask Extension
We have several well established tree's dying. Can you tell me if you have seen this and if they have a disease how can we control it?
Knowledgebase
Western Red Cedar tree Dying #379103
Asked December 05, 2016, 4:53 PM EST
We have several well established tree's dying. Can you tell me if you have seen this and if they have a disease how can we control it?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
I'm happy to try and help you figure out what is wrong. I need a little more info to make sure to steer you in the right direction. Can you answer a couple of questions?
Where are you?
When did this start?
Was there any work done in the area recently, heavy machinery use, cutting other trees, herbicides, etc.?
Can you send a close up of both the green and brown leaves?
Thank you
Where are you?
When did this start?
Was there any work done in the area recently, heavy machinery use, cutting other trees, herbicides, etc.?
Can you send a close up of both the green and brown leaves?
Thank you
We are located in Elmira Oregon. We noticed some of the trees turning brown a few months ago. We have not had any changes around these trees. We have 40 trees in a row and it is not every tree (yet). I will get a picture of the leaves this weekend. It is dark when I go to work and when I come home :) Thanks
I'm not sure if you were able to get pictures or not, but from the random pattern of the dying branches, the description and location you gave, i'd say they are experiencing weather stress. The trees were likely weakened by the drought we were having over the last 4 summers, especially with the extreme temperatures in August and September. Western redcedar are particularly sensitive to extreme dry conditions followed by extreme wet conditions which occurred this October. This is likely exacerbated by the heavy clay soils we have west of Eugene that dry and flood easily.
Unfortunately the best answer i have for you is wait and see what happens next spring. If the tops of the trees make it through the winter they may make it altogether.
I'm still happy to look at the close ups of the leaves if you get them, or you can bring in samples to the Master gardener plant clinic M-Th 10-1 & 2-5 at the extension office at 996 Jefferson St, Eugene.
Unfortunately the best answer i have for you is wait and see what happens next spring. If the tops of the trees make it through the winter they may make it altogether.
I'm still happy to look at the close ups of the leaves if you get them, or you can bring in samples to the Master gardener plant clinic M-Th 10-1 & 2-5 at the extension office at 996 Jefferson St, Eugene.
Here are a few close up pictures. Thanks for all your help.
The close up photos don't show evidence of a leaf blight, so I still think you problem is weather related. This has been pretty common throughout our area as a result of the out of character weather we have been having. I'll be out your way on Thursday, if you would like me to stop by and take a first hand look to confirm send me an email. <personal data hidden>. Otherwise there is no real treatment other than waiting for late spring and removing the trees that have died.
