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Ant infested cloud Conifer

CCGAngieWrightCCGAngieWright Posts: 15
in The potting shed

Hi All,

I bought a cloud conifer 7 years ago. It's been looking sad for a few months now and I recently noticed it has been infested by ants. There's a lot of dieback, and the plant now looks rather sparse and sad.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what kind of damage the ants will have done and if the conifer will likely recover. Perhaps the conifer is suffering from something else and the ants are secondary.

A lot of the 'clouds' have turned brown but there is still some greenery. Yet one of the 'clouds' is now completely brown.

It’s planted in the ground.

What can I do to save it.

It’s one of a set of 4 in a row and the other 3 look very healthy with good growth.


p.s. does ant powder damage plants? as I have some but worried about using it near the plants

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  • jimmidsjimmids Posts: 22

    It's never fun to see a beloved plant looking sad, especially when unexpected guests like ants show up. 

    First things first, let's not panic about the ants. While they can be a nuisance, they might not be the main cause of the conifer's decline. It's possible that there's an underlying issue we need to address.

    Take a closer look at your conifer and see if you notice any signs of pests or diseases. Keep an eye out for sneaky little critters like aphids, scale insects, or spider mites. If you spot any unwanted guests, you can treat them with insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils, following the instructions carefully.

    Now, let's tackle those ants. They might be attracted to the conifer because of honeydew secreted by pests or maybe they're just looking for a cozy nesting spot. You can create a barrier around the base of the conifer using sticky substances like Tanglefoot or sticky tape. This will discourage the ants from climbing up to the foliage. And if you're feeling adventurous, try setting up ant baits away from the conifer to divert their attention.

    Regarding the brown 'clouds,' it could be a result of various factors. Double-check that your conifer is getting the right amount of water and proper drainage. Finding the sweet spot between too much and too little moisture is crucial. If you suspect any nutrient deficiencies, a soil test might be helpful to get a better understanding of the situation.

    As for the ant powder, it's probably best to avoid using it directly on or near the plants. Some of those powders can be a bit harsh and might do more harm than good. Let's focus on solving the underlying issues instead.

    Remember, plant recovery takes time and patience.

    Hang in there!

  • CCGAngieWrightCCGAngieWright Posts: 15
    Thanks for the advice - I haven't spotted anything else on/in the plant - I'll look more closely.

    Many thanks
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Without a photo, it's hard to give advice, but browning on any conifer is nearly always down to lack of water. Unfortunately, the problem if often only noticeable when it's too late to sort.
    If the ants are from a nest nearby, it's even more likely, otherwise, they aren't a problem but will be harvesting aphids. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The ants are a symptom, not the cause.   The presence of ants indicates dryness so I suspect the conifer is actually dying of thirst and stress which may be form last year's heatwaves and drought and the strange wetaher patterns of this last winter ans spring.  

    As @Fairygirl says it's usually too late once a conifer starts going brown but you could try loosely forking the soil surface around its base to make it less compact and then give it a deep drink of water - 15 to 20 litres poured slowly so it soaks in and repeated daily for a week and then every other day or two when you don't have decent rainfall this summer.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • CCGAngieWrightCCGAngieWright Posts: 15
    edited June 2023


    It’s the one in the middle. 
  • CCGAngieWrightCCGAngieWright Posts: 15

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The brown bits won't recover. It could be down to wind damage too, but the other alternative is animal urine. Cats are the worst offenders. There's one un neutered one round here that's killed off part of my hedge because of it. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I don't think a cat is going to pee that high and I strongly suspect the teeny planting holes in all that solid paving mean the conifers are gtting very little water to their roots and the others will follow suit and go brown.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2023
    Are you in the UK @CCGAngieWright?  @jimmids has suggested using Tanglefoot … I think he/she must be in the USA, as in the UK Tanglefoot is a pretty well-known beer.  😂 🍻 

    The sticky insect trap seems also to be known as TangleTrap but I’ve never seen it in the UK and googling hasn’t revealed a UK stockist.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CCGAngieWrightCCGAngieWright Posts: 15
    Yes, the holes are pretty small - but the others seem to be thriving...?

    We're in Cheshire!

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