What to do about damaged cedar hedge?

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by R&R, Aug 6, 2019.

  1. R&R

    R&R New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Unfortunately our cedar hedge was damaged while our contractors were using a mini backhoe to remove concrete from our yard. The backhoe scrapped away some of the cedar's bark from the trunk, as well as clawed many of the lower limbs off or partially off the trunk. It appears that about 3-4 cedars have substantial damage, while a couple more may only have damage to the tip of the branches (from contractors leaning equipment up against the branches for several days). In total, there are about 10 cedars planted about 2 ft apart (centre trunk to centre trunk). They are about 20 ft tall.

    We've been told that if there is no longer any green on the branches, then new growth will not occur. Does anyone have more information on this? Do you have a recommendation on what to do about these damaged cedars? We have considered complete replacement, infill, as well as trimming off the all of the bottom 3-4 ft (including of course damaged parts) and planting natural landscape like ferns, salal, etc. We love this hedge as it provides year-round greenery and privacy between our neighbour.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

    Messages:
    1,262
    Likes Received:
    385
    Location:
    Estonia
    The damage may get healed over several seasons.
    Remove all of the loose dead foliage by rubbing damaged branches gently by hand and allow dead foliage to fall to the ground, to create better airflow and sunlight penetration.
    If the damaged area gets enough sunlight, then neighbouring branches will eventually close these voids. It takes time and patience, of course.
     
  3. Sundrop

    Sundrop Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,057
    Likes Received:
    98
    Location:
    Kootenays, BC, Canada
    I would follow Sulev's advice, but in the meantime, while waiting for recovery, I would plant flowering shrubs or perennials at front of the hedge to cover the ugly view and add some colour to this all-green area.
     
  4. R&R

    R&R New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Thanks so much for your advice. We've already brushed off the brown tips. Now, just time to wait and hopefully by next spring plant some flowering perennials.

    We've recently noticed in our neighbourhood some cedar hedges with ivy growing under them, as ground cover. The ivy has also grown up and filled in the gaps around the bottom of the hedge where lower branches were missing. I have to say, it looks quite good. However, I know ivy can take over very quickly, and if the hole in our hedge is filled with ivy then, is it possible that the neighouring branches will not be drawn to fill in the hole (with the ivy already there)?
     
  5. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

    Messages:
    1,262
    Likes Received:
    385
    Location:
    Estonia
    If you fill these gaps with some other plants, then the hedge will not grow into these voids. Your cedars need light to fill those caps.
    You may put some container plants in front of damaged places for hiding these defects, but not too close.
     
  6. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    2,618
    Likes Received:
    1,418
    Location:
    Nanoose Bay, BC Canada
    English Ivy is on the Invasive Species Council of BC list for good reason. It may seem a short-term fix for your hedge but the vines will also grow up into the trees themselves and become very difficult to remove. English Ivy |
    It is possible too as you say that neighbouring branches may be less likely to fill in the gaps if ivy leaves are shading the space.

    If I were you, I'd arrange 3 or more large and medium-size containers in front of the centre, damaged portion of the hedge (leaving enough space for light to reach the lower branches). They will damage the lawn temporarily of course but placing them on concrete pavers should allow you to keep things tidy. I would worry that digging the soil in front of the hedge would damage its well-established roots.
     
    Daniel Mosquin likes this.
  7. R&R

    R&R New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Thanks everyone for your suggestions and reminding me of the reasons not to plant ivy! Your posts have been extremely helpful.

    Does anyone have a ball-park idea of how many years it could take to fill in the gap? Currently the gap is about 7 ft across and about 3 ft high. Within this area, there are a couple small green branches laying low just above the grass, but other than that, all other branches appear dead or were completely removed by the back hoe.
     
  8. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    2,618
    Likes Received:
    1,418
    Location:
    Nanoose Bay, BC Canada
    Just a guess but I wouldn't expect the most severely affections section to take 3 or 4 years to look green again and, even then, longer to fill in the entire space.
     
  9. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

    Messages:
    1,262
    Likes Received:
    385
    Location:
    Estonia
    I would not expect the damage get completely healed sooner than 10...15 years, but the look should improve with each year and in 5...7 years it should not catch the eye any more.
     

Share This Page