Why does evergreen turn brown

Rhizosphaera needlecast and diploadia tip blight are two common examples. Cytopsora canker of spruce can also cause browning of needles and death of lower branches. In some cases, needle browning may by a sign of needlecast disease.

Environmental conditions are another factor to consider when needle browning occurs. Extended dry weather and lack of water may be the culprit. Other weather conditions may have an impact including cold winter temperatures and temperatures that fluctuate above and below freezing.

It may simply be normal loss of needles, but it can also be a warning sign that something is amiss. Before you can take any steps to fix the problem, you need to figure out why your tree is turning brown. Actually, there are numerous reasons why an evergreen might start turning brown.

There are a number of diseases that could be the culprit; there could also be a problem due to a lack of nutrition in the soil. This could also be due to a number of reasons. During the winter, the soil often gets so cold that the water in the ground freezes.

This is also known as leaf burn or desiccation. If you notice leaf burn on your evergreen tree, the very first step you will need to take is to diagnose the problem. The easiest way to do that is to secure the help of a tree service. If you live in Portland or the surrounding area, contact us here at Mr. Our arborists or tree surgeons will arrive to diagnose the issue and help suggest steps you can take to correct the problem.

Unfortunately, there is no amount of tree care that can bring those trees back. The only thing that can be done with those trees is to cut them down. It can be discouraging to the homeowner to replace the dead trees with new ones. Many times, two or three die in the middle of a row of 15 or 20 plants that have all grown to be about 8 feet tall and the biggest ones you can find as a replacement are only 4 feet high.

They will eventually grow up to match the height of the other plants, but it can take many years to do so. In winter, the culprit is likely to be soil that is too cold.

If you think this is the case, you can break up the soil and try to rehydrate. Often, browning will start in one small area and then quickly spread to the rest of the tree. If you catch it early, you might be able to clear everything simply by pruning the part away.

However, you will often have to go deeper. One of the most common diseases for evergreen trees is root rot. With this disease, you will see brown, wilted needles and sores running along the root system of the tree.

Root rot is a fungus and can be quickly cleared by moving any damp soil away from the roots and allowing them to dry, according to Fort Collins Nursery. Another common problem for evergreen trees is rust. This is another fungal disease that causes powdery spores on the needles.

You have to prune the tree and remove every infected needle to clear it — which is why we suggest contacting a professional to limit the stress put on the tree.