Brown Arborvitae - Ask Extension
Several of my row of arborvitae are turning brown. The plants have some healthy green, but the tops mostly have turned brown. I've read online several...
Knowledgebase
Brown Arborvitae #873099
Asked June 14, 2024, 11:51 AM EDT
Several of my row of arborvitae are turning brown. The plants have some healthy green, but the tops mostly have turned brown. I've read online several possibilities but I'm hoping to get a better solution from you. They are around 20 years old and 8' tall. Semi protected area.
Berrien County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Christine,
Several things can cause this:
How much water have they received and how often? Dig down about 6 inches and check if soil is moist, dry, or very wet and sticky. Is the soil sandy or clay? Are roots rotting? Are roots dry and brittle?
Check the base of the trunks- is there any sign of damage, animal gnawing bark?
Is the brown just on one or two sides? Was any herbicide applied this year? Weed killers etc? Were they broadcast or sprayed? (Sprays can travel quite far on windy days)
Depending on which issue is the problem, the shrubs may or may not recover.
Several things can cause this:
How much water have they received and how often? Dig down about 6 inches and check if soil is moist, dry, or very wet and sticky. Is the soil sandy or clay? Are roots rotting? Are roots dry and brittle?
Check the base of the trunks- is there any sign of damage, animal gnawing bark?
Is the brown just on one or two sides? Was any herbicide applied this year? Weed killers etc? Were they broadcast or sprayed? (Sprays can travel quite far on windy days)
Depending on which issue is the problem, the shrubs may or may not recover.
