Whenever an arborvitae (Thuja) starts feeling under the weather, it won’t keep it a secret—you’ll see it in its appearance pretty quickly. If you notice your tree looking a bit sad, you’ve got to act fast to keep it from biting the dust. Keep in mind that some varieties, like the popular ‘Smaragd’ (Emerald Green), are a bit more sensitive than others.
Why is my arborvitae dying?
Even though we love arborvitae because they’re generally tough-as-nails, they aren’t completely invincible. Even a hedge that’s been thriving for years can suddenly run into trouble if something in its environment changes. If you don’t step in, you might lose the tree entirely. Here are the usual suspects behind a struggling Thuja:
- Drought stress
- Overwatering
- Root rot
- Over-fertilizing
- Crowding (planting them too close together)
- Diseases
- Pests
More often than not, simple maintenance mistakes are the culprit. However, fungal infections or pesky bugs can also wreak havoc on your hedge. If you spot discolored branches or stunted growth, consider it a red flag that it’s time to change up your care routine.
Can I still save my dying hedge?
If your arborvitae is only dealing with some brown tips, there’s still a good chance you can save it. Start by pruning away the dried-out bits and then give the tree a thorough watering. This is also the perfect time to audit your gardening habits. For a happy, healthy tree, you need to nail these basics:
- The right location
- Loose, well-draining soil
- Proper watering techniques
- Moderate fertilizing
- Regular trimming
One thing that’s hard to fix after the fact is spacing. You really have to make sure you have enough distance between trees right when you’re planting them. If a large portion of the tree has already dried out, you can try a radical pruning as a last resort, but honestly, the odds of a full recovery aren’t great at that stage. Often, your only option left is digging up the arborvitae. Once you’ve cleared out the roots (or hired a pro to do it), you’ll have a clean slate to plant a fresh, healthy hedge.
