Skip to content

If you see Cathy, let her know we have some bad news about her tree

She is advised to possibly burn it. This advice and more in this week's edition of Gardening Tips by Susan Richards of New North Greenhouses
bad news sympathy stock

Each week, Susan Richards of New North Greenhouses answers your gardening questions. Have questions about your gardening needs? Please email her at [email protected]

180614damagedtreeLES
Les: Our tree got a lot of snow damage this winter and I had to tie together some branches and cut off some others. It has yet to bloom but has a few green buds on it. Is there still hope for this tree? If this tree needs to be replaced we would probably pick a smaller decorative tree. Would it be too late to plant something?

It looks like the damage was due to snow coming down off the roof. Since most of the tree looks dead, I would definitely pull it out.

It's not too late to plant, but I wouldn't suggest choosing another small tree. The same damage may occur again. Instead I always recommend planting perennials in an area that gets a lot of snow piled in winter or where snow falls from a roof.

Perennials die down to the ground each fall and grow back up in spring. There is no permanent woody structure above ground to get damaged by snow load.

Lee: I have to mature cedar shrubs in front of my house and have never had an issue with them. This year though all of a sudden they very quickly turned brown and seem dry and brittle. They were fine early spring but seemingly overnight they appear to be dying. My cousin has the exact same issue with some of hers and she lives on the other end of town.

I see no evidence of any time of bugs or anything either. What could have caused this?  Is there anything I can do to save them?

So many evergreens were damaged by the desiccating effect of the extreme cold period in the winter. Think about how cold and sunny it was all through January. Damage often show us later in spring as the tissue can't take in water and nutrients, so it turns brown and dies.

There is nothing to do to save dead branches. Prune them away and then look at the shrub to see if what is left looks good enough to save. If it does, be sure to feed with an evergreen fertilizer.

If not, replace the shrub.

Beth: This blight has appeared on our Autumn Blaze maple.  There are prominent raised red dots on several leaves.

Can you tell me what is the cause and if I have to spray the tree? 

That is the leaf's reaction to being attacked by maple gall mite. It isn’t harmful to the tree and spray isn't effective once the mite is in the leaf.

More information here.

Cathy: I have a four-year-old corkscrew willow. This spring the entire top of the tree turned black, and it didn’t bud at all. My husband trimmed off all the dead branches and now we basically have a skeleton tree. I’m wondering if there is any chance the tree will come back to life? There are new shoots starting at the base of the stump which makes me think the tree is still alive.  Is there any chance it will grow new branches and foliage or should I just cut it down? 

Sounds like willow blight. Most likely brought on by the stress of the extremely cold winter. I would cut it down and either burn it or take it to the dump. The growth emerging from the bottom won't be the corkscrew willow.


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.


Discussion