We have several of these cedars, some thrive, some died. We had to remove and replace a tree after 3 years, it got yellowish, then orange and died. We planted a new one in the same spot and it was problematic from the beginning: some branches between the lowest ones and middle ones started to die, and then it proceeded up. Every year 2-3 more died, so the trunk in its lowest parts has all dry branches. This year I happened to notice that new needles on the very tip,the youngest part of the branch, turn white and die without shedding, still attached to the branch. Please share with me if you had the same problem and know how to treat it. Thanks.
My cure would be to stop planting the same item on what is apparently an unsuitable site. Have you been seeking out extra hardy named selections? Maybe much of your problem is winter injury. Otherwise, if the soil is not right, you will have to plant something else or excavate and replace the soil.
I would also blame this particular patch but next to it another cedar and it's thriving. You might be right though.Thank you.
Some individuals are damaged during coldest winters even here in this part of USDA 8. Skyline specimens may be singed and partly defoliated when temperatures fall low enough. If you have been buying unselected seedlings these may be too delicate for your situation.
Hard to say much without knowing the following: - How the trees were stored prior to planting - Your watering schedule - All the site conditions - Presence or absence of nutrients - The exact planting procedure Sounds like a good option may be to have someone like an arborist or horticulturist come to the property to evaluate it.
