It’s a real bummer when you notice your Arborvitae (Thuja) starting to dry out and turn brown. Most of the time, a lack of water is the culprit behind those crispy branches, and with a little TLC, it’s totally preventable. If you catch it early enough, you can usually save your tree before it’s too late!
Why is my Arborvitae drying out?
Believe it or not, a Thuja dries out for more reasons than just a thirsty root system. There are a few common gardening mishaps that lead to those dreaded brown tips. Some of the main offenders include:
The way you water your trees is the biggest factor. If you get it wrong, that beautiful privacy hedge you worked so hard on could die off completely. Ironically, giving them too much water can be just as bad as too little. When the roots sit in standing water, they start to rot. Once root rot sets in, the tree can’t “drink” or absorb nutrients anymore, causing it to dry out from the inside out.
Too much fertilizer can also “burn” the roots, leaving them unable to do their job. You can avoid this headache by skipping the harsh mineral fertilizers and sticking to organic options. Your trees will love things like:
- Well-aged compost
- Cured manure
- Horn meal
- A nice layer of mulch
How do I save a drying Thuja?
If you’re only seeing a few brown tips here and there, your hedge has a great chance of bouncing back. However, if half the tree is already brown, things are looking a bit tougher. Before you give up and dig it out, try giving it a heavy pruning. Just a heads-up: never cut back into the old, woody interior, because Thujas won’t grow back from old wood. If the green wood has completely dried out all the way through, it might be time to head to the nursery for a replacement.
For minor browning, simply snip off the dry bits and give your tree a deep soak. This is especially important for hedges, which have a lot of competition for moisture. Keep in mind that young trees need more frequent watering than established ones. For the best growth, here’s my pro tip: give them one deep, thorough watering a week rather than just a little sprinkle every day.
