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Techny arborvitae issues #635557

Asked May 14, 2020, 3:14 PM EDT

I have a client that planted 3 Thuja occidentalis 'Techny' arborvitae 3 years ago and something is wrong with them. What are these weird brown things? Can you tell me if this is disease, pest or environmental? It might be important to note that they replaced Technys that were destroyed by a house fire.

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello,

You are seeing the old fruit structures in the 1st and 3rd pictures. The 2nd picture shows some new flowers developing. Here are a couple examples

Flowers:

https://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/thuoc41

Cones:

https://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/thuoc50

Thuja are known to produce quite a few. Because some folks clip their arbs, they get clipped off. Interesting! All conifers produce cones and you are seeing the cones of this one.

https://conifersociety.org/conifers/thuja/


Thank you for your question!   Laura S.      Michigan State University Extension Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464 with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources. Replied May 15, 2020, 12:26 AM EDT

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