Ailing Arborvitaes - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have a couple of arborvitaes in front of my house. From the front they look healthy, but next to the house they look like they are dead. I'm...
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Ailing Arborvitaes #856008
Asked December 02, 2023, 5:56 PM EST
Hello,
I have a couple of arborvitaes in front of my house. From the front they look healthy, but next to the house they look like they are dead. I'm concerned they could be a fire hazard plus they just look ugly. I think this might have been caused by the heat dome a couple of years ago. Should I take them out completely or can I just trim out the dead wood and save the rest of the bush?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Tom. Let me first refer you to some general information about these shrubs: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/arborvitae-stands-tall-easy-care-hedge
Pruning off the dead tissue won't create new green foliage, but may make it less unsightly. As for fire hazards, any plant--alive or dead--proximate to the house increases fire risk. Dead tissue just burns more quickly. Here is an Extension article on this topi: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/pnw-590-fire-resistant-plants-home-landscapes
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Pruning off the dead tissue won't create new green foliage, but may make it less unsightly. As for fire hazards, any plant--alive or dead--proximate to the house increases fire risk. Dead tissue just burns more quickly. Here is an Extension article on this topi: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/pnw-590-fire-resistant-plants-home-landscapes
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Thank you for your response.
TB
Welcome!
