If you’ve noticed your Thuja (Arborvitae) looking a bit crispy lately, you aren’t alone. Most of the time, a drying Thuja is the result of a few common care mistakes rather than a lost cause. However, it can be a real headache when it happens to a hedge, as those brown gaps mean you’re losing your backyard privacy!
Why is my Arborvitae drying out?
If you spot brown tips on your Thuja, take it as a “cry for help”—it’s the first sign that the plant is stressed and starting to dry out. On the other hand, seeing a brown interior is usually just a natural part of the plant’s growth cycle and rarely something to worry about. The same goes for brown buds; usually, there’s no need to panic there.
To keep your hedge from dying off, you’ll need to play detective to find the root cause. While pests or fungus can occasionally be the culprits, it’s almost always down to a maintenance mishap. Here are the usual suspects:
- Bone-dry soil
- Overwatering
- Root rot
- Too much fertilizer
- Sunburn or windburn
Can a dried-out Thuja be saved?
If you’ve only got a few brown tips here and there, you can definitely save your tree. Just prune away the dried-out bits and adjust your watering routine. If half the tree has already turned brown, you could try a heavy pruning. However, since Arborvitae generally won’t grow back from old wood, this is often a “hail Mary” pass that might not work. If the damage is too far gone, your best bet is digging it up and planting a new one.
How do I keep my hedge healthy and green?
The number one reason these trees struggle is improper watering. Thujas love soil that is consistently moist but never waterlogged. Keep in mind that young hedges need much more water than an established, standalone tree. Follow these tips to keep your Thuja lush:
- Keep the soil loose and well-aerated.
- Water regularly during the early morning hours.
- Always water at the base of the plant (avoid the foliage).
- Fertilize moderately.
- Stick to organic options like compost.
- Only prune on cloudy days to avoid scorching the fresh cuts.
