Green giant arborvitae - Ask Extension
Planted a hedge of green giants planted about 5-6 years ago. Picture shows an established tree in the hedge that looks to be distressed, compared with...
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Green giant arborvitae #868369
Asked May 14, 2024, 11:40 AM EDT
Planted a hedge of green giants planted about 5-6 years ago. Picture shows an established tree in the hedge that looks to be distressed, compared with others. Has a few inches new green growth, but doesn’t look right. From a distance, compared to others, I can see somewhat of a weeping of the branches. My concern is that I had a tree next to it (on left) die about a year and a half ago, and it had a similar look in the spring, and by fall, it was dead. Just replanted a new tree on the left, in the fall. Have had another tree on the other side (right) of it die when it was about 3 years old. No bag worms. Did the white paper test for spider mites, but didn’t clearly see black bugs. The only thing I see on a few interior branches is the white blotches as shown in the picture. I only see a few of those spots on a few interior branches. Should/can I spray something on it? I really don’t want to lose another mature tree in the hedge. I have about 30 green giants on my property and this is the only site that seems to be giving me an issue. Thank you for your help. If you need additional pictures, I can send more. Thank you!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
The circled plant looks fairly normal to us, though you can check the soil near its roots to see if it could use watering. Drainage and moisture retention in soil can vary considerably over even just a few feet of distance, so even if the rest of the row might not need water, this individual still might be drying out faster or possibly staying more damp. (Wilting or leaf yellowing can occur with either scenario, so feeling the soil about six inches deep is the best way to judge; if it feels somewhat dry to the touch at that depth, watering may be needed; if damp, watering is probably not needed.)
The white residue just looks like bird droppings and is not of concern. Perhaps one more birds has taken-up roosting in it overnight, or maybe there is a nest (Robin, perhaps) within its upper branches.
No treatment is needed or recommended at this point as there is no indication of a pest issue or an infection. If its symptoms change or worsen, feel free to send us additional photos. Unfortunately for the sake of diagnosis and intervention, evergreens can be slow to manifest symptoms of a problem or stress, so by the time more prominent discoloration occurs, it's too late to take action. Monitoring soil moisture is one of the best approaches, though, to minimizing plant stress and avoiding over-watering by accidentally watering when it's not needed. Make sure any mulch used around the base of the plant is not piled against the bark and is only about three inches (or less) in depth. If any stakes remain tied to the trunk from when the plants were younger, remove them and all tying material so the trunk isn't "strangled" and irreversibly damaged. We don't see indications this is what's happening here, but it's such a common occurrence that we though we'd mention it as a precaution.
Miri
The white residue just looks like bird droppings and is not of concern. Perhaps one more birds has taken-up roosting in it overnight, or maybe there is a nest (Robin, perhaps) within its upper branches.
No treatment is needed or recommended at this point as there is no indication of a pest issue or an infection. If its symptoms change or worsen, feel free to send us additional photos. Unfortunately for the sake of diagnosis and intervention, evergreens can be slow to manifest symptoms of a problem or stress, so by the time more prominent discoloration occurs, it's too late to take action. Monitoring soil moisture is one of the best approaches, though, to minimizing plant stress and avoiding over-watering by accidentally watering when it's not needed. Make sure any mulch used around the base of the plant is not piled against the bark and is only about three inches (or less) in depth. If any stakes remain tied to the trunk from when the plants were younger, remove them and all tying material so the trunk isn't "strangled" and irreversibly damaged. We don't see indications this is what's happening here, but it's such a common occurrence that we though we'd mention it as a precaution.
Miri
