arborvitae turning brown
Daniel Johnston
Updated on June 14, 2026
Like most conifers, arborvitaes will not produce new growth on older bare stems, so they don’t tolerate renovation or hard pruning. Cut into the brown, and it will stay that way. To maintain plant health, don’t remove any more than one-third of the live foliage area per growing season.
How do you remove Brown from arborvitae?
What’s behind die back, brown patches in arborvitaes?
Prune the affected foliage to remove the unsightly tissue. Pruning allows more light in and stimulates growth of new foliage.Water regularly at the base of the plant during dry periods.Fertilize in spring to stimulate production of new foliage.
Why are my arborvitae turning brown on the bottom?
The Reason Why Arborvitae Foliage Turns Brown
The combination of wind, sun, freezing temperatures, and lack of available water in winter can cause arborvitae foliage (and the leaves of other evergreens, as well) to turn brown. This happens because they are drying out. Water is the lifeblood of foliage.
How do you keep arborvitae healthy?
Basic Arborvitae Care
Ensure proper spacing when planting depending on the type.Arborvitae do best in well drained locations and want to send their roots deep in nutrient rich soil.Full sun is best, but they can do well in partial shade.Soil should not be overly alkaline (above pH of 8) or acidic (below pH of 7)
What does an overwatered arborvitae look like?
Symptoms of overwatering your Arborvitae can be similar to those of underwatering. You may see this change to yellow or brown colors in the branches and needle drop. Too much moisture or insufficient drainage can also lead to root rot.
What does a dying arborvitae look like?
You will also notice dead leaves still clinging to the plant, despite the fact that winter might have ended. Another clear indication that the plant is dying is when you begin to see yellow, brown, or red needles appearing on the branches. This is a clear sign that the plant is stressed or about to die.
How do I bring my arborvitae back to life?
Either way, once arborvitae branches die out like that, there’s nothing you can do to bring them back to life. Your only hope is that there’s still some life in the branches enough that some new shoots could poke out next spring. Don’t prune off the apparently dead wood yet.
Is Miracle Grow good for arborvitae?
Miracle-Gro’s Shake ‘N Feed for Flowering Trees and Shrubs is designed to help young or newly replanted or repotted arborvitae get a strong start. It can also help established evergreens flourish.
How do you save a dying arborvitae?
We found that adding new mulch around the base of browning arborvitae will slow down the dying process and might save your tree altogether. Another way to save browning arborvitae is to prune your tree once it begins to show new growth in the springtime.
How often should Arborvitaes be watered?
Water your tree twice a week until it is established. Then, it will need roughly ½-1 inch of water per week.
Can you save a brown arborvitae?
Brown arborvitae can be saved from conditions that cause it to brown, but it may not be as healthy as it was. But that does not mean it cannot be saved. A branch that has turned brown can grow out and parts of the branch closest to the trunk will grow to their natural green.
Will arborvitae recover from overwatering?
Although arborvitae enjoys moist soil, it requires adequate drainage and will suffer if over-watered. Symptoms of excessive water around arborvitae roots are similar to those of drought stress and include foliage discoloration or dieback.
How do you save a Overwatered arborvitae?
Wilted, overwatered plants are not always a lost cause.
Move your plant to a shady area even if it is a full-sun plant. Check your pot for proper drainage and, if possible, create additional air space around the roots. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch, but do not let it get too dry. Treat with a fungicide.