Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: nwalch on April 04, 2011, 20:55

Title: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: nwalch on April 04, 2011, 20:55
During last year I noticed a few of my conifers in the hedge at the top of the garden started to turn brown in places. I assumed it was because I had been digging near by and damaged the roots -

September 10
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll120/nwalch/GARDEN06Sept10_06.jpg)


This year its got worse and over 50% of the hedge is affected -

April 11
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll120/nwalch/GARDEN03April11_08.jpg)


Any idea what it is (is it the harsh winter) and what I can do about it. What about a seaweed foliage feed?

Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: Aunt Sally on April 04, 2011, 20:58
Oh dear,  It's a disease spread by an aphid I believe.

I'll see if I can find some information for you.
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: Yorkie on April 04, 2011, 20:59
I was going to suggest conifer aphid as one possibility  :(

It is also possible that you did damage the roots - such damage can take quite a long time to show.

Irrespective of the reason, I *think* it's unlikely that the conifers will re-green where they are currently brown, but hopefully someone will come on and contradict me  :(
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: Aunt Sally on April 04, 2011, 21:09
You'll have to do a google around for more information but I think insecticide will be the best thing to use.  \I'm not certain the will green up again either :(

http://www.gardenseeker.com/plant_pests_problems/plant-pests/leylandii_hedge_dying.htm
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: Aunt Sally on April 04, 2011, 21:10
Provado Ultimate Bug killer will kill the little beast

BUT

no they will not green up again :(
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: fatcat1955 on April 04, 2011, 21:11
Depends on what conifer they are. Leyllandi will not recover but western red cedar will green up . If it's a diesease i doubt they will green up.
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: mumofstig on April 04, 2011, 21:18
my neighbour cut his side of the hedge very late (in October I think), and then we got the cold in December, so his side has gone brown :(

I made the last cut on my side much earlier and mine hasn't browned  ;)
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: viettaclark on April 04, 2011, 23:39
I lost a big piece of a huge privet hedge and a large fir together over a couple of years. Also a floribunda, himalayan honeysuckle and choisya, all very mature large plants in the same area, turned brown and died.
We still don't know what caused it but Honey Fungus was suspected.
The fir came down, the hedge was replaced with Laurel and the H.H. and Choisya came back from the root after a year or two.
It was a depressing time though.
Interesting that it might have been an aphid....
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: mrs bouquet on April 06, 2011, 14:34
During last year I noticed a few of my conifers in the hedge at the top of the garden started to turn brown in places. I assumed it was because I had been digging near by and damaged t



Wish you luck with that hedge, but thanks for the piccies, what a pretty garden. regards, Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: mrs bouquet on April 06, 2011, 14:38
During last year I noticed a few of my conifers in the hedge at the top of the garden started to turn brown in places. I assumed it was because I had been digging near by and damaged the roots -

 



Good luck with your hedge, but thanks for the 'photos.  What a pretty garden, regards, Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: Trillium on April 06, 2011, 15:33
We get a fair bit of winter dieback here just from very cold winds, which I know the UK got plenty of these past 2 winters. Sometimes the results are slow to show up.

Also, is the soil around the roots very dry? We had to start soaking our hedges as well as feeding them with special evergreen fertilizer. It'll take a while for them to recover but as said, whatever is brown will not come back so some careful trimming is needed to promote new growth.
Title: Re: Why are my Conifers Turning Brown
Post by: Sideshoot on June 03, 2011, 11:05
Im probably miles away with this suggestion but i thought id chip in...it couldnt be wind scorch could it ?

Paul