A dead cedar can be caused by many things, one of which is root rot. Armillaria root rot has been found in many cedar trees and hedges. “Fans of white fungal mycelium can be found under the bark at the base of dead trees and in the roots. Black “strings” called rhizomorphs spread the fungus from one tree to another along the hedge.” There is no “cure” for Armillaria, and one by one your hedge can and will die if preventative measures are not taken. Once you spot this fungus you should immediately remove the diseased trees. This will help save the rest of the hedge and potentially save you money. Call us and we’ll help you with your root rotting problems! We’ll remove all the diseased ones and plant fresh, healthy cedars in their place!
As any dog owner knows, your garden and green spaces can take a lot of damage when you introduce your pet into the environment. Digging, chewing, running and going to the bathroom can do a number on your yard. You may notice your grass brown, yellows and dies from dogs urinating on it. The same problem can happen with your cedars. When your pooch lifts its leg on your trees, time after time, you will probably start to notice yellow, brown and black patches of dead branches.
Your dogs can also get in the pesky habit of chewing your branches. Urinating and excessive chewing can seriously damage your trees so keep a watchful eye on their health. Take preventative measures to keep your dog away from the trees. Dusting the base with hot pepper spice or setting up a mesh fence along the bottom can help deter your dog from causing trouble!
Unfortunately, there is a chance that your cedars may attract mice and other rodents, not unlike any other plants you have in your garden.
Rodents like to look for dry, covered places, things to chew and also things to eat, so your garden and trees can be attractive options for rodents to set up camp. If you haven’t seen the little fuzzy critters in person, a good thing to do would be to check your trees. If your trees have signs of chewing on them, then you might be in trouble. You’ll find the most chewing at the bottom of the tree near the base, but bark can be stripped off higher uptake in the branches as well. This can be a problem for your cedars as it can cause your branches to die and in worst case scenarios may kill your tree entirely. If you suspect you may have a rodent problem check your garden. Keep your outside spaces clean and don’t hang or scatter bird feed in or near your trees. Take the necessary steps to get rid of your problem, without damaging your trees or garden further.
You planted your cedars and for years they grew beautifully and kept your yard looking green, but all of a sudden they are beginning to die off and you don’t know why. If it’s not the weather, watering or fertilizer what else could it be? Bugs! Those pesky little creepy, crawlies can do more damage to your trees than you make think. Here are few that you should watch out for:
- *Cypress Tip Moth: Larvae tunnel into leaf scales on one and 2 year-old twigs in the spring. Leaves become yellow, then brown in late winter. White, spun cocoons can be found on leaf scales in early June. Western Red Cedar is not affected.
- *Mites: Overall yellowing or browning of foliage in summer may be due to desiccating winds and drought stress or to mites. A few mites are not usually a problem, but in hot, dry weather they can build up to damaging levels. A magnifying glass may be needed to see them. Apply a specific miticide for control.
- *Juniper Scale: Juniper scales attack juniper, arborvitae, cedar and cypress. Cones, twigs and needles are attacked. Heavy infestations deplete plant sap resulting in grey or yellow foliage, reduced growth over time and possible death of young trees. Black sooty mold often develops on honeydew. Scales are round to oval, white and 1.5 mm long. Direct controls against the newly-hatched crawlers in mid-June.
- *Root Weevil: Adult weevil feeding can girdle young twigs and turn foliage brown, similar to flagging. The weevils feed at night so are not usually seen. Notching of the stem will be evident below the flagged portion of the branch. Damage can occur from March to July. If there is a lot of damage, a sticky band around the trunk will prevent adult feeding. Larvae may feed on roots but do not generally damage trees once past the seedling stage.
*information from gov.bc.ca
We know cedars are a great privacy keeper and yard separator, but what if you are living in an apartment or complex with shared balconies and limited outdoor living space? You don’t have a yard but want to keep your space green!
Potted plants add colour and beauty and cedars add green and privacy! You’re probably not able to plant your cedars in the ground so go for the next best option.. boxed cedars. They are easy to make, maintain and are cost efficient. You can make them as big or small as you like and can take them with you, should you ever move. If you are planning on putting in a cedar box make sure you are allowed. Check with your strata council or property management to make sure you are not violating any rules in your complex.
