Glacial pendula turning brown - Ask Extension
Planted 3 glauca pendula in march. Have clay soil but amended with natures best. Had a lot of rain after planting. Middle tree turned brown and died a...
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Glacial pendula turning brown #875302
Asked June 29, 2024, 9:35 PM EDT
Planted 3 glauca pendula in march. Have clay soil but amended with natures best. Had a lot of rain after planting. Middle tree turned brown and died a few weeks after planting. The other 2 have now started turning brown. Watering every 3 days- they are west facing so full sun
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Chris,
This looks like blight which is caused by a fungus. You should remove the brown tips - cut back two inches into unaffected stems and clean any dead loose tips out. Bag and destroy. Clean up around the base as well.
Pruners should be cleaned EVERY TIME YOU PRUNE OR MAKE ONE SNIP. You can use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Two pruners, one sitting in the solution while using the other, then the next snip with the clean pruner. Using your hands to take off soft plant tissue may transfer more spores.
Fungicide spray is suggested for the trees, all of the tree needs to be sprayed. Bordeaux mix is suggested. Please follow instructions and wear protective clothing, boots, hat and glasses.
The fungicide should be applied early in the season (spring) but a one time spray may stop the disease from progressing. Spray the entire tree.
This affects young plants more often than older one, however, this can occur at any age of the plant. Full sun is best (which you have) and only water once a week but water deeply.
Place 4-5 inches high of compost around the trees leaving a 5-6 inch space from the trunks. This will keep the roots cooler during the hot summer and will keep moisture from evaporating.
If you have further questions, please contact us again.
This looks like blight which is caused by a fungus. You should remove the brown tips - cut back two inches into unaffected stems and clean any dead loose tips out. Bag and destroy. Clean up around the base as well.
Pruners should be cleaned EVERY TIME YOU PRUNE OR MAKE ONE SNIP. You can use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Two pruners, one sitting in the solution while using the other, then the next snip with the clean pruner. Using your hands to take off soft plant tissue may transfer more spores.
Fungicide spray is suggested for the trees, all of the tree needs to be sprayed. Bordeaux mix is suggested. Please follow instructions and wear protective clothing, boots, hat and glasses.
The fungicide should be applied early in the season (spring) but a one time spray may stop the disease from progressing. Spray the entire tree.
This affects young plants more often than older one, however, this can occur at any age of the plant. Full sun is best (which you have) and only water once a week but water deeply.
Place 4-5 inches high of compost around the trees leaving a 5-6 inch space from the trunks. This will keep the roots cooler during the hot summer and will keep moisture from evaporating.
If you have further questions, please contact us again.
Thank you. Unfortunately the one tree has no green to cut back to so I think a goner! I did plant a Leland cypress to replace the first tree I lost. So far it looks green and healthy- would you recommend spraying it with Bordeaux or waiting? Does the fungus live in the dirt or did the trees come with it? I also planted a couple of laurel bushes- are they at risk or is blight more specific to needles? So frustrating- I was envisioning nice healthy trees to create a privacy barrier!
Thank you for your advice!
Chris
Hi Chris,
I am sorry to hear about the other tree. Both the cypress and the laurel can be hit with fungal disease as can most plants in our area due to the moist/warm weather.
There are many kinds of fungal diseases and each have a few distinct characteristics. I would say most probably there is fungi in the soil that may infect the tree/bush.
However, I would inspect regularly and wait on the spray. Boudreaux has copper in it and it can be toxic if not used properly. Even though it is listed as organic, it will kill insects. Birds eat the dead insects, and it could harm them as well.
Here is a link on cypress trees for your review: https://www.thespruce.com/leyland-cypress-trees-2132063
If you have any other questions, let me know.
I am sorry to hear about the other tree. Both the cypress and the laurel can be hit with fungal disease as can most plants in our area due to the moist/warm weather.
There are many kinds of fungal diseases and each have a few distinct characteristics. I would say most probably there is fungi in the soil that may infect the tree/bush.
However, I would inspect regularly and wait on the spray. Boudreaux has copper in it and it can be toxic if not used properly. Even though it is listed as organic, it will kill insects. Birds eat the dead insects, and it could harm them as well.
Here is a link on cypress trees for your review: https://www.thespruce.com/leyland-cypress-trees-2132063
If you have any other questions, let me know.
