We are located in Surrey BC. We planted about 45 Golden Rod Junipers 25 years ago in a three row hedge. They have been healthy till last spring when about 15 of them died. The same condition seems to be appearing in some of them this year. Help!! What is happening and what can we do?
There may be some kind of an ailment or pest involved, but as they age and get bigger, each one also needs more water and nutrients. Could they be starving each other out?
Thank you for your response. It is very doubful that starvation is the answer as the dying was so rapid and in unison. From when the dead branches appeared last spring till the plants were completely brown was no more than 6 weeks to two months. On the other hand we have never fertilized them as they have been so healthy. But can you suggest the nutrients I should apply? The soil here is very clay rich with very poor drainage. For the first 25 years the Junipers thrived here. I am thinking it is a pest or ailment.
Junipers are apt to blight off, search "juniper blight" for starters. The soil sounds like it is about the opposite of what they want, there could be a connection between the record wet November and this appearing some months afterward.
Do you have any signs of chewing at the bases of the dead branches? I've seen mice do this during the winter and the damage shows up in the spring when dormancy ends. Bob
