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.

Shrub conifer turned brown this month

Paul Hyde-ClarkePaul Hyde-Clarke Posts: 5
in Problem solving
I'm new here. Here goes. I have a 5ft high 6ft wide shrub. Very conifer like but not one of those tall slim green ones, it's stout and a golden lime green colour. Until a few weeks ago when it started turning brown/orange. I'd say it looks burned. I would water it because it makes me think it's dry, but we've had a fair but of wet weather and my soil isn't freely draining (heavy clay). One other thing. My neighbours replaced the fence 2 months ago and there's a post dug in about 4ft from the trunk. Could it be that the problem is down to a root being damaged? Any thoughts would be useful on whether it can be rescued or whether I should just dig it up and buy something new for that west-facing spot. I loved the year-round bright colour so I'm loathed to change it! I'm a keen gardener but my knowledge and experience is very low and I prefer shrubs that don't need much looking after. Thanks in advance.
«1

Posts

  • Paul Hyde-ClarkePaul Hyde-Clarke Posts: 5
    Thank you verdun I will start giving that a go today. I can't say I've ever noticed new growth or it's colour but it is conical. It doesn't have needles as such. It is a much softer kind of branch. I'm surprised there's no way of adding a photo here. But I'll try what you suggest. Many thanks!
  • Paul Hyde-ClarkePaul Hyde-Clarke Posts: 5
    Ah I just googled the species you suggested. It's not the one. Actually I'd say it's more ball like (although with a subtle point) with soft drooping foliage. Perhaps I'm wrong about it being a conifer but it's the only way I can describe it. It is much brighter yellow/lemon.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,444

    You can add a photo from a PC orlaptop Paul, have you got access to either?



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Try googling Chamaecyparis pisifera (false cypress) Paul, to see if any of the pix look similar - some of those have softer foliage and there's a lot of golden varieties which are quite common. There are so many conifers and firs it can be hard to pinpoint the exact variety, but Verdun's advice is sound anyway, whichever one it is. 

    Sometimes it's quite nice to know what you have though! image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Paul Hyde-ClarkePaul Hyde-Clarke Posts: 5

    image

    I hope this photo works. It's not the false cyprus either. But closer!

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,444

    That looks a bit final Paulimage

    Might be some sort of Thuja but I don't know conifers well



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Paul Hyde-ClarkePaul Hyde-Clarke Posts: 5

    Oh well, worth a try. One for the bonfire heap. Thanks for the advice everyone.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,444

    I'd wait and see what Verdun and Fairy say before you get the saw out



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Think you may be right nut - looks like one of the Thujas - occidentalis is that kind of shape and habit I think.  Lots of conifers colour up over winter Paul, but they revert to their 'normal' colour when spring comes. I don't think that one's reverting any time soon  - I reckon that's terminal unfortunately. I had a juniper which turns from green to golden over winter, but it never went green again in spring so it had to get chucked. image

    Look on it as a chance to plant something new and different! image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.