If the conifer turns brown, there are many possible causes. It is often difficult to find out which one it actually is. In some years, however, pests such as the leaf miner or the bark beetle are often behind it, which occur particularly after dry phases.
Why is my conifer turning brown and what can I do about it?
A conifer tree turns brown due to dryness, waterlogging, high levels of pollutants or pest infestation. Adequate watering and care as well as controlling pests can help restore the tree's he alth.
The most common causes
Even if the affected conifer already looks badly damaged, you shouldn't immediately reach for the saw. Firstly, many coniferous trees do not grow back in the desired location after pruning, so holes remain and secondly, the trees often recover within a few years. Since the needles fall off and grow again after a few years, the tree can even turn green again.
drought
Drought, especially if it is a long dry phase, is one of the most common causes of browning in conifers. It can be dangerous for the tree, especially if the root ball dries out. Endangered specimens should be watered thoroughly.
Waterlogging
However, don't reach for the water hose too quickly, as waterlogging can also cause browning. If the tree is in compacted soil where water cannot drain away, the roots can begin to rot due to the high humidity. At the first signs, you should subsequently lay drainage and loosen the soil thoroughly.
High pollution
Compared to deciduous trees, conifers are very sensitive to airborne pollutants. Since they don't shed their needles every year, they store pollutants in them and literally poison themselves. A similar phenomenon occurs when hedges bordering streets and sidewalks suddenly turn brown: road s alt was probably spread here in the winter, which the plants absorb through their roots and cannot tolerate.
Diseases / Pests
Severe infestations with pests such as leaf miners, bark beetles or plant lice also lead to browning of the affected conifers in some years. Only careful treatment and a lot of patience will help here.
Tip
If the potted tree you just bought seems to be drying out, you can only save it in rare cases: such a conifer has lost a large part of its fine roots and is therefore no longer able to absorb sufficient moisture. The reason is the brutal cutting and potting of these trees, which are then offered cheaply in discounters and hardware stores.