When to give up on an evergreen? - Ask Extension
Hi! Can you tell me when to give up on an evergreen? This one is probably 23 years old. Though there are many new pinecones and growth in some places,...
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When to give up on an evergreen? #840678
Asked July 14, 2023, 1:35 PM EDT
Hi! Can you tell me when to give up on an evergreen? This one is probably 23 years old. Though there are many new pinecones and growth in some places, it's dead in a lot of areas. Should I just trim the dead parts? Cut it down and haul it out? This is a south-facing tree. It gets sun ALL day long. Thank you!
Scott County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Kirsten,
I've got to tell you, I've see a lot of trees in much worse shape than yours. Evergreens will naturally have branches dying from the base. You can cut those off and any other dead branches. If it were my tree I'd keep it. It takes a long time to grow.
However, I would get another tree started now. I'd plant it in the fall. This way if your tree is on the way "out" you will have another one well started. Don't plant the same variety though. I can't tell if you have a disease or pest issue with that tree and you don't want to spread it.
Hope this helps,
Sally Granath
St. Louis County MG
