Hi, Paul.  Thanks for your question about cedar browning.  Browning can be due to a combination of factors such as soil, environmental stresses, diseases, and insects.  Please answer these questions to help us pinpoint the cause for your hedge:

1.  Where is the hedge located?  Is it near a road or driveway?  Have you fertilized something nearby recently? What is different about the location of the brown end from the rest of the hedge?

2. What is the soil like around the hedge - damp? dry? packed?  

3. Is there mulch around part or all of the hedge?

4. Is the browning all on the outside of the hedge, or are internal needles changing too?

5. Do you see any evidence of insects in the affected area?

6. Finally, is there anything you can think of that was different during the past year - from a massive winter storm to a new pet, from extra dry or extra wet weather to new construction or yard work?

Could you send another photo or two, one showing the full hedge, and one with a shot of the roots?  I hope we can find a solution for you!

- J.

Hi, Paul.  Thank you for the extra photos.  What a lovely hedge!  I have some feedback from our pest and disease expert, Ann Hazelrigg.  She says the following:

"This does not look like a foliar disease issue to me since the dieback is all from the tips. My guess is that it is still related to winter desiccation. The plants are on sandy soils and we have had a few years in a row with pretty severe late summer droughts. We are seeing problems as a result of that and sometimes when you would not expect it but trees/shrubs have been going into the winter stressed so are more prone to winter damage.
I would be sure the hedge is mulched and watered through extremely dry times. The Plant Diagnostic Clinic is not taking in samples from home gardeners but will accept samples from commercial landscapers. The landscaper can contact me: <personal data hidden>"

I would also add the observation that the brown area is near the corner of the garage.  I wonder if run-off from the roof during the winter may have affected that are.

Good luck. I hope this all helps!  

-Juanita

On Thursday, June 3, 2021, 6:43 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: