Unfortunately, it is quite common for an arborvitae hedge to turn brown and die. The causes are very different. Very often drought is responsible for death. Why does the thuja dry out and how can this be prevented?
Why does a thuja hedge dry up and how can it be saved?
A thuja hedge often dries out due to dried out soil, too much water, over-fertilization or root rot. To save them, affected shoots can be cut off and the tree watered sufficiently. If the damage is more severe, replacing the thumbs is recommended.
Thuja dries up – causes
- Soil dried up
- too much water
- Overfertilization
- Root rot
The most common cause is that the hedge simply wasn't watered or wasn't watered enough. But too much water in the soil also causes the thuja to dry out. The roots then rot and can no longer absorb moisture.
Can a dry tree of life be saved?
Whether you can still save a dried-out tree of life depends on the extent of the drying out. If only a few shoots are affected, simply cut them off and then water the thuja sufficiently.
If half the tree is affected, you can try cutting it back severely. Remember that the arborvitae will not sprout again in places where you cut behind the green.
Unfortunately, a rescue attempt is usually not worth it. Dig up the dried thujas and replace them with new trees.
Water a lot after planting
It goes without saying that a thuja hedge needs to be watered well immediately after planting. Watering is also necessary if the soil is moist from rain.
It takes up to two years until the roots of the tree of life are sufficiently large. During this time, regular watering is urgently necessary.
Water the thuja hedge properly
The soil of the hedge must never dry out completely, but waterlogging is just as damaging. Therefore, water regularly, especially if it is very dry for a long time. This also applies to tall and well-grown thujas.
It is better to water the thuja heavily once a week. Allow approximately ten liters of water per tree of life. Small amounts of water daily increase the risk of dehydration.
Water in the morning if possible and avoid wetting the leaves. This will prevent fungal infestation.
Tip
Over-fertilization with mineral fertilizers can also cause a thuja hedge to dry out. If you use too much fertilizer, the roots will burn and will no longer be able to absorb moisture. With organic fertilizers, however, there is no risk of over-fertilization.