Green Giant Arborvitae Died - Ask Extension
I planted the far right tree 3 years ago and the other four trees were planted 2 years ago. The far left tree began turning yellowish about 2 months ...
Knowledgebase
Green Giant Arborvitae Died #889820
Asked November 14, 2024, 10:40 AM EST
I planted the far right tree 3 years ago and the other four trees were planted 2 years ago. The far left tree began turning yellowish about 2 months ago so we began watering the rest of them more regularly. The second from the left began turning colors around a month ago and the middle tree started turning colors about 2 weeks ago. Once they turn yellow, they go to brown within a couple weeks. Visibly, I could not detect insects or fungus. The far left tree gets the least amount of sun, but the middle one gets a fair amount of sun. Any clue as to what is happening? We really want a privacy line of evergreen shrubs. Suggestions are welcome!
Clermont County Ohio
Expert Response
Arborvitae may be turning brown for a few reasons. Overwatering is the most common cause of yellowing and browning of foliage. Arborvitae do not tolerate wet soils and require good drainage. The roots will rot if they stay wet too long resulting in yellowing of foliage.
Wet conditions can allow fungal pathogens, possibly Pestalotiopsis Funereal, to affect Arborvitae health. The link below provides further detail.
https://u.osu.edu/ornamentaldiseasefacts/nursery/pestalotiopsis-tip-blight-and-dieback-of-conifers/941-2/
Unfortunately, not much can be done to encourage a plant to recover from browning dead branches. Just wait and see if they bounce back. The watering you provided may be a contributing factor to the trees decline.
The link below gives good information on browning of evergreens. I wish you success in having at least a couple of your trees surviving.
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2272
Wet conditions can allow fungal pathogens, possibly Pestalotiopsis Funereal, to affect Arborvitae health. The link below provides further detail.
https://u.osu.edu/ornamentaldiseasefacts/nursery/pestalotiopsis-tip-blight-and-dieback-of-conifers/941-2/
Unfortunately, not much can be done to encourage a plant to recover from browning dead branches. Just wait and see if they bounce back. The watering you provided may be a contributing factor to the trees decline.
The link below gives good information on browning of evergreens. I wish you success in having at least a couple of your trees surviving.
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2272
