rusty branches on cypress tree - Ask Extension
I have 3 small cypress trees, planted about 3 years ago and they all have a degree of rusted branches. Are they merely dead, or are they diseased, an...
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rusty branches on cypress tree #867967
Asked May 11, 2024, 7:57 AM EDT
I have 3 small cypress trees, planted about 3 years ago and they all have a degree of rusted branches. Are they merely dead, or are they diseased, and if so, how should I treat? thank you
Frederick County Maryland
Expert Response
The first two pictures look like Leyland Cypress; the third looks like Arborvitae. (We mention this because, while there can be a bit of overlap, they do not share the same vulnerabilities.) The leylands are hard to diagnose based on the visible symptoms, but could have contracted either Seiridium or Botryosphaeria canker, both opportunist fungi that take advantage of stressed plants (often by drought), or were physically damaged. There is no treatment for either infection, but keeping plants vigorous by watering (as needed) during drought can help minimize their stress.
Are any of the plants in an area visited by deer? Some of the bark damage looks extensive and seems consistent with "buck rub," when male deer rub antler velvet off on young trees in autumn. Such damage can cause significant dieback on a plant if enough of the sapwood just under the bark is damaged by the bark's removal/injury.
Regardless of the original cause of damage, the entirely-brown branches will not recover and need to be pruned off. Any with brown inner needles but healthy-looking green tips can be left alone, as it is normal for a bit of shedding for those older needles to occur each year as the plant ages.
If deer are around, the Arborvitae might need long-term protection from browsing of its foliage, too...it depends on the type of Arborvitae, which we can't tell from the photo. If you have its name tag, varieties of Eastern Arborvitae (botanical name Thuja occidentalis) are favored for browsing but Western Arborvitae (Thuja plicata and its hybrids, like variety 'Green Giant') are usually left alone. Long-term, while deer browsing won't necessarily kill an older plant, it will create a bare zone in the bottom 4 feet or so of branches which will never regrow.
Miri
Are any of the plants in an area visited by deer? Some of the bark damage looks extensive and seems consistent with "buck rub," when male deer rub antler velvet off on young trees in autumn. Such damage can cause significant dieback on a plant if enough of the sapwood just under the bark is damaged by the bark's removal/injury.
Regardless of the original cause of damage, the entirely-brown branches will not recover and need to be pruned off. Any with brown inner needles but healthy-looking green tips can be left alone, as it is normal for a bit of shedding for those older needles to occur each year as the plant ages.
If deer are around, the Arborvitae might need long-term protection from browsing of its foliage, too...it depends on the type of Arborvitae, which we can't tell from the photo. If you have its name tag, varieties of Eastern Arborvitae (botanical name Thuja occidentalis) are favored for browsing but Western Arborvitae (Thuja plicata and its hybrids, like variety 'Green Giant') are usually left alone. Long-term, while deer browsing won't necessarily kill an older plant, it will create a bare zone in the bottom 4 feet or so of branches which will never regrow.
Miri
Thank you very much!!!
You're welcome!