Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Advice on conifer browning

leedwaters4D-HyZ9Mleedwaters4D-HyZ9M Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Hi all, I recently moved into a new property and trimmed a row of conifers in January, i realised i shouldnt have done that in the winter and im seeing some browning as shown below. Is there anything i need to do to stop it getting any worse or do people think it will sort itself out? any advice welcome..


«1

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    That doesn’t look too bad, just a reaction to winter cold I’d say.  You could help your trees green up though by clearing the area around the base and adding a layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture and add nutrients.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think that'll be OK. You haven't cut it right back into the brown interior, which is important for most conifers because they don't grow back from the brown wood. I rather like the hedge-on-stilts look :)
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I rather like the idea too. Pruning will help to contain the roots which you need to be aware of. Whatever you do don't cut back to the brown interior growth it won't regrow with the exception of Thujas. It is normal to see some brown it will loose these leaves as part of it's growth.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • leedwaters4D-HyZ9Mleedwaters4D-HyZ9M Posts: 6
    edited April 2023
    Thanks all for the replies, glad to hear I likely have nothing to worry about :) I have put some mulch down and watered for good measure 
  • leedwaters4D-HyZ9Mleedwaters4D-HyZ9M Posts: 6
    Hey all, just picking this up again, the browning seems to be worsening rather than going away, is it still normal at this time of the year? nothing i need to do?


  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I wonder whether this might be Thuja blight, assuming the plant is Thuja!  Have you any experience of this @jennyj, @GardenerSuze or any others?
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    'Fraid not. I don't grow much in the way of conifers. My hedge is privet, much more tolerant and forgiving than conifers (except maybe yew).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • leedwaters4D-HyZ9Mleedwaters4D-HyZ9M Posts: 6
    edited May 2023
    Just took a closer look and saw the following


    I think it could be this? https://www.rhs.org.uk/disease/conifers-pestalotiopsis-disease 

    perhaps next step is to cut out the affected parts, i see there is fungicides i could potentially use, but the RHS site says at your own risk, should i avoid using them?
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @leedwaters4D-HyZ9M I have seen this before but cannot offer advice I did think at first it was something that it would just fight off.  If you can cut out the affected areas with ease? Clean tools before and after. If it continues to get worse I am not sure I would use a fungicide. There are questions relating to human health and for that reason I couldn't suggest it.
    Spraying such a large specimen also has it's issues.
    @Silver sufer You may be the best person to confirm if this is Thuja please? some how I doubt.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • leedwaters4D-HyZ9Mleedwaters4D-HyZ9M Posts: 6
    Thanks @GardenerSuze I have cut out a good amount of the affected died out areas. I wont use fungicide then given the large size. Is is possible this fungus will die out naturally? just keep an eye and cut out any new dying stems?

Sign In or Register to comment.