Concolor fir has gradually turned brown - Ask Extension
We had one large 20’ concolor fir die in this spot, turned brown. We had it cut down and roots removed, got a new 8’ one that was planted by pr...
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Concolor fir has gradually turned brown #782138
Asked February 18, 2022, 3:27 PM EST
We had one large 20’ concolor fir die in this spot, turned brown. We had it cut down and roots removed, got a new 8’ one that was planted by professional. Our irrigation man out irrigation drip around it. It was planted May 1. Irrigation turned off in November. By January it had largely turned brown. Now it is almost fully brown needles. I have no idea why. Or what to DO! The tree man says fertilize it.
Westchester County New York
Expert Response
I would be helpful to know were you are in NY state. The local environment could be an issue. Also, there may be soil microorganism that infected you first tree and has not infected you second one since it was planted in the same spot. The also could be issues with changes in the environment that make your location no longer that the fir can adapt. Adding fertilizer at this time of year may be useful once the soil has thawed out but I am not sure it will have much effect at this time of year unless things are different in your part of the state than my location. The ground is till frozen here.
Look closely at the growing tips of the branches for some green. It may not be dead.
How did your previous Fir respond to winter? Did its leaves brown up in late winter? If not, then I would say that there are environmental changes that firs are no longer adapted - either infection or physical changes in local climate. I can not say much more without a closer look. You may want to contact you local extension office to see if they have someone who could take a closer look.
Look closely at the growing tips of the branches for some green. It may not be dead.
How did your previous Fir respond to winter? Did its leaves brown up in late winter? If not, then I would say that there are environmental changes that firs are no longer adapted - either infection or physical changes in local climate. I can not say much more without a closer look. You may want to contact you local extension office to see if they have someone who could take a closer look.
Thank you so much for your help.
I am in Pelham, in Westchester County.
I have another one right on the other side of the front driveway that is doing fine.
This one used to have those new green tips after it was planted in May. But since then more and more brown has come
Here is the other one
On Feb 19, 2022, at 3:10 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Given what you have told me and seeing the pictures, I would guess that there has been some change in the environment that caused the first fir to die and, what ever it is, it is still present. Those green tips are the new growth and should present every spring.
Did you have work on your driveway or some other area near the dead tree location?
I can only see small amounts of green on the leaves which may only be present due to shading.
Has there been an increase in water level or standing water around the spot where the tree is located?
Has there been any road work in your area during the time that the previous tree died?
Has there been changes in snow or ice removal say the use of salt or other compounds to deal with ice?
I could see the older tree dying due to roots getting damaged but that should not be a problem with a new planting.
There is a disease that attacks the roots called Phytophthora Root Rot. It is caused by a fungus - Phytophthora sujae or a closely related species. If your previous tree died from it, the disease could have remained in the soil even though the roots of the old tree were removed. If the area was in standing water for awhile, this could have encouraged the disease to grow in the first place. Has you drainage changed?
From what I found on a few extension sites, this fungus attacks a variety of plants so initially, it could have come in from neighboring fields or other plants you may have planted around you home recently. It will cost you some money, but it may be worth having an extension person collect samples and send them to Cornell for verifying. Read the information on the pages below and maybe look a bit further before deciding what you want to do.
Here are a few sites that will give you more details on the disease.
https://extension.psu.edu/phytophthora-root-rot
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/rot/phytophthora-root-rot-of-trees-and-shrubs.aspx
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/phytophthora-root-crown-rot
Did you have work on your driveway or some other area near the dead tree location?
I can only see small amounts of green on the leaves which may only be present due to shading.
Has there been an increase in water level or standing water around the spot where the tree is located?
Has there been any road work in your area during the time that the previous tree died?
Has there been changes in snow or ice removal say the use of salt or other compounds to deal with ice?
I could see the older tree dying due to roots getting damaged but that should not be a problem with a new planting.
There is a disease that attacks the roots called Phytophthora Root Rot. It is caused by a fungus - Phytophthora sujae or a closely related species. If your previous tree died from it, the disease could have remained in the soil even though the roots of the old tree were removed. If the area was in standing water for awhile, this could have encouraged the disease to grow in the first place. Has you drainage changed?
From what I found on a few extension sites, this fungus attacks a variety of plants so initially, it could have come in from neighboring fields or other plants you may have planted around you home recently. It will cost you some money, but it may be worth having an extension person collect samples and send them to Cornell for verifying. Read the information on the pages below and maybe look a bit further before deciding what you want to do.
Here are a few sites that will give you more details on the disease.
https://extension.psu.edu/phytophthora-root-rot
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/rot/phytophthora-root-rot-of-trees-and-shrubs.aspx
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/phytophthora-root-crown-rot
