What is wrong with this arb? - Ask Extension
13 yr old. Clay soil. Burlington. Full sun. Wet soil. Not winter burn/damage. Discolored branches and needles are brittle. Very obvious discoloration.
Knowledgebase
What is wrong with this arb? #866040
Asked April 26, 2024, 6:35 PM EDT
13 yr old. Clay soil. Burlington. Full sun. Wet soil. Not winter burn/damage. Discolored branches and needles are brittle. Very obvious discoloration.
Chittenden County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi Jennifer. Thanks for contacting the UVM Extension Master Gardener helpline.
It was hard to tell from the photos you sent, but the UVM plant pathologist, Ann Hazelrigg, suspects waterlogged soils causing the dieback, especially if you are already in
a wet site with clay soils. Plus we are really not seeing much in the way of winter injury with this past mild winter.
There is not much to do at this point other than cutting back the dead foliage and waiting to see if it leafs out this spring. If not, the roots are probably dead. If you do see some new growth, there is hope. You could cut the shrub back (at the top) to stimulate new growth. You could also fertilize the plant, although Ann said she might do less than is recommended just to see how
stressed the tree is. Here is a suggested amount from Connecticut. You could also use Pro Gro (5-4-3) if you want to stay organic. https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/factsheets/arborvitae/#:~:text=Fertilizer%20Guidelines,square%20feet%20of%20root%20area.
If you find after spring that the roots are dead (i.e. no new leafing out), you may want to replace it. I would recommend improving/loosening the soil and improving the drainage, though, before planting another Arborvitae.
I hope this information is helpful. Good luck!
It was hard to tell from the photos you sent, but the UVM plant pathologist, Ann Hazelrigg, suspects waterlogged soils causing the dieback, especially if you are already in
a wet site with clay soils. Plus we are really not seeing much in the way of winter injury with this past mild winter.
There is not much to do at this point other than cutting back the dead foliage and waiting to see if it leafs out this spring. If not, the roots are probably dead. If you do see some new growth, there is hope. You could cut the shrub back (at the top) to stimulate new growth. You could also fertilize the plant, although Ann said she might do less than is recommended just to see how
stressed the tree is. Here is a suggested amount from Connecticut. You could also use Pro Gro (5-4-3) if you want to stay organic. https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/factsheets/arborvitae/#:~:text=Fertilizer%20Guidelines,square%20feet%20of%20root%20area.
If you find after spring that the roots are dead (i.e. no new leafing out), you may want to replace it. I would recommend improving/loosening the soil and improving the drainage, though, before planting another Arborvitae.
I hope this information is helpful. Good luck!
