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Landscape Design Conifers

Is my Blue Atlas Cedar dying? What do I do?

Jacqueline Smith

3 years ago

We planted this tree a couple weeks ago. We live in the Pacific Northwest (Olympia, WA). In the last few days I have noticed the needles changing color and now see it is dropping needles too. Can it be saved? Any ideas on what could be going on. Its been raining on and off the last couple weeks but we did have a couple days with 80+ weather. We've made sure to water but it hasn't been daily..

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Jacqueline Smith
Original Author

3 years ago

UPDATE: This plant lost all of it's needles but we decided to leave the plant in the ground and continued to water, and just this month we noticed lots of new needles. It appears the plant is going to survive. Thanks for all of the comments.

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Comments (11)

Embothrium
3 years ago
Timing would suggest it burned during the comparatively hot weather. Otherwise there is a twig blight that is spoiling many of these during the dull springs we have been having in later years.

In case it is actually too dry poke around in the soil it came in at time of purchase to make sure that is moist all the way through.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
Its been raining on and off the last couple weeks

==>>>

significant rain.. plus watering.. sounds like water shouldnt be a big problem ... but do check ...

take a hand trowel.. or a tablespoon.. and go dig a few 3 too 6 inch holes and FIND OUT about moisture at depth ... both in the gob planted.. and just outside such ... neither sodden nor bone dry is good ... report back ...

80s doesnt sound that bad ... but could be.. hard to say ...

regardless.. transplant shock.. you interfered with the roots ability to maintain proper moisture by transplanting ... plus the heat ... etc.. all you can do .... is keep it properly watered .. and hope for the best ...

no conifer holds its needles forever.. interior shedding is normal. and can be increased by transplant ... so if any of those are affected.. nbd on those ...

sunburn on newer growth is an aesthetic issue ... if any part remains green.. or in this case blue.. then the needle are still doing their job.. creating energy out of sunshine ...

as to embo disease issue ... i would sure hope whoever you bought it from.. back to the grower is selling clean stock.. Ag inspectors get in a huff if they arent ... and stuff like that really doesnt pop up inside a few weeks ...

i might talk to the seller.. and see what they say ... is there a warranty???.. will they take it back ... work with honey right now ... just gather information ...

ken
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its a conifer ... see what i just wrote at the link .. perfect watering .. you will probably end up cutting the top off.. and having to train a new leader up ... and you could learn about that in the conifer forum ... i would not make this decision until spring.. to see if the top buds out ... you havent given us any info about anything ... if you want us to speculate on why it happened ... i suspect you planted it like a perennial/annual.. and that might be part of the problem ... you could also convert to the latin name.. in google.. then flip to the images side .. and find out.. it might be 5 to 10 feet too close to the house and railing ... massive potential ... though you will get a few extra years.. in it dying back ... ken http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/3268363/thuja-emerald-green-occidentalis-arborvitae-dying?n=2
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in the mean time... conifers shed needles in one to 3 years .... interior shedding of the oldest needles is NORMAL ... and increased by a multitude of variables ... like drought last year.. rough transplanting.. bad winter ... improper watering.. etc .. ad nauseum ... your first indication is whether it buds out.. if so.. its alive ... second... is such of normal amount.. subject to the transplant stresses ... is it somewhat vigorous ... or is it weak looking???? .. time will tell ... so far.. you made it thru winter ... not bad ... with an epic fail it would not have .. the next hurdle is when the heat of summer hits.. and whether you have enough roots.. to carry thru that.. taking into account.. proper watering ... so when you go take the new pix.. focus on the new growth... and lets see how that looks ... ken
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
"and stuff like that really doesnt pop up inside a few weeks ..."

Yes, they can....and often do. The Cedrus twig blight that Embothrium referred to is only 2 weeks from infection to showing symptoms. And with our mild and damp springs - the primary period of infection - it is becoming increasingly commonplace throughout the PNW.
Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
3 years ago
Shouldn't a Cedrus in the PNW be flush with new growth right now? I see nothing. Suggests to me that it might have been DOA and now you are seeing the inevitable yellowing/drying out/dropping of the needles.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
The Cedrus twig blight that Embothrium referred to is only 2 weeks from infection to showing symptoms.

===>> yikes ... who knew ...
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
3 years ago
Thanks for the update.

tj
User
3 years ago
That is so cool when that happens!

Cudos
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
The cedar tip bight is disfiguring but rarely fatal. Generally the plant will replace the lost or browned needles later in the season. Like now :-)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
fantastic ...

though that above the new needles might be dead .;.. wait til spring before you start cutting back ...

not a great pic for the root flare.. but i dont see it ... is it just below some mulch .. ????

pull back the mulch.. and find it.. even if you have to excavate a bit ...

keep us posted ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffcm&q=root+flare&iax=images&ia=images
plantkiller_il_5
3 years ago
I LIKE THOSE IMAGES

ron

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