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Thuja Plicata browning in winter

andy1977andy1977 Posts: 39
in Problem solving
Is it normal for the tips of a thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar/ Atrovirens) to turn brown following recent wintery weather and frosts? Or could it be a sign of thuja blight?

They were planted around 2 months ago (late November). The soil is moist to finger depth, so has not needed much watering.

They are planted about 1m in front of a 6ft fence in a sheltered spot. They don't get much direct sunlight yet, but will do in spring/summer/autumn.

Thanks


Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't see any browning. Looks perfectly normal to me.
    Thujas aren't really adversely affected by any kind weather apart from severe drought for months on end, and even then, most would be fine   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I can see some very faint pinky/brown on the tips in your first photo, but l would say it's nothing to worry about. The plants look healthy, and are just settling in :) .
  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,923
    Don't think you've got too much to worry about there Andy. They take quite a while to establish and can look a little ropey during their first winter.

    These are mine that have been in for 18 months. When they look like this it's when you start to worry, especially when they looked far better last winter.




    This a close-up. But there is some encouraging new growth so we'll see what happens.




    This is from a 30+ year-old tree in our garden which has always been healthy. But still the odd brown bit.


    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. 

    I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That was all I could see too @AnniD but it certainly wouldn't be any problem.
    The advantage of T. plicata is that you can prune it back into older wood and it'll regrow @andy1977 , unlike most members of the conifer family.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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