Conifers and Brown Patches

Cuthie · July 2023

Conifers and Brown Patches; seems to be a lot of it about at the moment, including some on a much loved conifer of my own.

What is causing it, I have heard people talk of an infestation of aphids or other such insect, I also read it is the result of long dry periods. Which is it ?

Pete.8 · July 2023

Most likely long dry periods.
It takes ages for a conifer to show signs of drought and by the time they do it's sometimes too late to do anything about it.
Keep it watered but not soaked and X your fingers

Fairygirl · July 2023

Drought is the most common reason, and unfortunately it's often too late by the time you see those brown areas, as @Pete.8 says. They don't generally recover either, so if you cut the brown bits out, it isn't always successful. It depends on type and the extent of the damage.
We've seen quite a lot of dead, mature conifers round here in the last couple of years, and that's purely because of long dry spells in the last couple of years, which is very, very unusual for this part of the country. That normal level of moisture is why they've been such popular, and easy, shrubs/trees for decades here, but because they're shallow rooting, they can only cope for so long with very dry conditions before finally succumbing.
It's been a weird couple of years, but it's making up it for it now and is more normal for July, with plenty of rain.

GardenerSuze · July 2023

@Fairygirl There is a huge conifer at the Beechgrove TV Garden the whole thing looks brown but still beautiful. I assume it is safe and not about to fall. It did look lovely in the Sunshine against a blue sky. I also think Scott Smith Head Gardener has some interesting hints and tips.

@Cuthie I do agree with what has been said. There has been rain here too but you will need alot if your conifers are large.

Fairygirl · July 2023

There's a garden near me which has a very dead one @GardenerSuze, and unfortunately, if it's taken out [which is what needs doing as it's an eyesore] it will then expose the large tree behind it, and that's had all the light blocked from it for years by the conifer, so it'll look dreadful too.
They can cope with dry periods once well established, but there's a point at which they can't recover.
Beechgrove is in the east, which is very different in terms of climate from us in the west, but earlier this year, we had their weather and they had ours. Back to normal though - flood alerts on Friday and today

bédé · July 2023

If you cut back most conifers too far,. they will not resprout green. The only solution is to cut out the dead part and let the surrounding green fill in the hole.

Conifers and Brown Patches

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