Needle Loss on Deodora?

Curious Arborist · Feb 10, 2010

I have excessive needle loss on my deodora, leaving the tips of the limbs brown and apparently dying. What are the possible causes?

Michael F · Feb 11, 2010

Can you post some close-up photos?

PS spellcheck for information searches: deodara

Ron B · Feb 11, 2010

Some Himalayan cedars are less hardy than others. Otherwise, when an evergreen plant not nipped by cold sheds suddenly and excessively there is liable to be a problem at the roots.

Hartley Botanic · Feb 11, 2010

From here (University of Arkanas Extension):

Deodara cedar is a finicky tree to grow. Like most conifers it requires excellent drainage to prosper. But unlike many other members of the pine family, to which the true cedars belong, Deodara cedar should have a good, fertile soil. In a good soil it will be fast growing while young, often making two feet of growth a year. Be careful when locating a planting site for this tree. Give it room. It is best used as a specimen tree where the attributes of such a big tree can be shown to its full potential. This is definitely not a plant for the foundation planting, as you sometimes see it used.

The tree is not without its problems. Sometimes it just dies. Usually the cause of outright death can be traced back to root rot caused by planting in an insufficiently drained soil. The other cause for sudden loss of the plant is often cold winters. Young trees are more susceptible to cold than more established trees, but a very sudden temperature drop such as we had in the Halloween freeze of 1994, can cause severe damage to even older trees. The death of the tops of trees can usually be traced back to freeze injury.
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"Sometimes it just dies". Great :/ Not what one wants to hear!

Ron B · Feb 12, 2010

"Sometimes it just dies" = "we didn't discover what happened". The failure of daphne plantings is frequently described in the same manner, as though something like witchcraft were involved.

Hartley Botanic · Feb 13, 2010

Ron B said: ↑

"Sometimes it just dies" = "we didn't discover what happened". The failure of daphne plantings is frequently described in the same manner, as though something like witchcraft were involved.
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It's not a laughing matter I know, but you did just make me giggle with that comment :)

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Needle Loss on Deodora?

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Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

Hartley Botanic Active Member

Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

Hartley Botanic Active Member

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