Arborvitae issue - Ask Extension
Good afternoon, I am hoping you can provide some insight and help to this issue with an arborvitae. They started turning brown last season and have c...
Knowledgebase
Arborvitae issue #867652
Asked May 08, 2024, 6:29 PM EDT
Good afternoon, I am hoping you can provide some insight and help to this issue with an arborvitae. They started turning brown last season and have continued to get worse over the winter and through spring. At first we believed that it was due to ice melt damage from winter 2022-2023 but the homeowner isn't sure. Another landscape company suggested it was a treatment issue. I really appreciate any insight you can provide to this issue. There is a black walnut in the same area that is over many of these plants also
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Arborvitae are considered tolerant of the juglone produced by black walnut trees.https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/black-walnut-toxicity/#tolerant-evergreens It looks like classic winter injury, They seem to be in a row facing a street. No protection from wind and/or winter sun. Additionally, they may have gone in to winter stressed by lack of moisture. They needed to be watered until the ground froze and a protective barrier of burlap or similar material to shield from wind and sun. Open the appropriate drop down boxes in this link. I think they may need to plant different shrubs unless they can do the suggested remedies. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-winter
