Help with Emerald Cedars: Normal vs abnormal features

11 years ago

Hello everyone,

I purchased a few 6'-7' high emerald cedars as a privacy hedge. Full sun for at least 6hr. My soil are clay, Zone 5. When they are planted, I did not add any soil amendment. I found a few sources- botanical forums, that recommends planting the cedars in the existing soil, so I went with that. I have dug holes 2x as wide as the rootball and just as deep as the rootball, leaving 20" of distance between each cedars, back-fill the space. Mulched. 1" of surface of rootballs exposed. Since my yard is uphill, I created a small berm- with gaps (since it's clay soil) at the top of the slope to retain a bit of water.

One and a half month after planting these cedars from pots, I have been noticing a few abnormality. 1) "yellowing" of leaves or branches (pardon my use of words). The transition of colors goes from the usual dark green to yellowish light green or pale olive green. Is this merely transplant shock or a case of root rot? Can root rot be developed in such a short time?

2) gaping holes between branches?

3) Scraggly shoots coming up top?

When I first bought them, their rootballs are super dry and dusty, so I might have over-watered the first few weeks.

The cedars are super heavy (hoping to not dig them out), is it possible to go easy with the watering from now on? Say, only water when the soil 2-3inches down is moist and cold, weather dependent of course, to alleviate the problem?

Pictures are attached. Also, are the tips of leaves suppose to be yellow or light brown?

For this tree, there's only one branch that's browning - at the base

As for another tree, the yellowing is happening in the mid-section of the cedar, front and back. Sorry not sure how to rotate the pics.

2) This is the only tree with a few gaping holes upon planting, it wasn't there...

3) Online sources say there won't be much growth due to transplant shock, so is this sprouting or something's happening.

Most of the symptoms listed online are described in words, and it's a little difficult for a newbie to troubleshoot with these online guides. Have been googling for pictures as well, but I only mostly found browning cedars, or sickly cedars in the most extreme cases.

Sorry for the lengthy post. Thank you for reading this.

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Comments (5)

wisconsitom
11 years ago
Nothing here of any consequence. Not to be a smartypants, but the degree of deviation from "perfect" displayed by these plants suggest you might prefer plastic!

+oM
alley_cat_gw_7b
11 years ago
Sophie, Im like Tom, At first glance it doesnt look like anything is out of the norm. The few brown sprigs is from all the handling they've received from transporting to planting. Pay attention to there water needs and give them a couple years to get sorted out.

You say they are twenty inches apart...if that is from center to center,or trunk to trunk...thats close for those trees, but you will end up with a green wall or hedge if that is your goal.

Al
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
not quite sure from your facts... but if those were just planted ... they look very fat and happy ...

and you nailed the planting ... etc ...

all that is left.. is your high expectations of perfection ... chill ...

picture a large boy or man.. grabbing your plants and tugging them around the nursery.. or on or off trucks... and you probably have your reason for the errant damaged brown needles or leaves ... snip it out when it goes all brown .. never leave brown stuff on a plant ...

they will grow this season ... perhaps not to full description ... so if they are supposed to grow a foot per year.. you will probably still get 6 inches ...

and yes.. as the growth tips extend ... they can start looking a bit shaggy ... the side growth tips will grow later ...

just make sure they stay properly watered in the heat of summer.. and deep into fall .. but dont freeze them into an ice cube ... insert finger or use a hand trowel.. and water when they need it ... not on some schedule ...

and they should be pretty well set next year... but for maybe a summer drought.. where you would check to make sure they stay moist in such ...

after that ... they should be rather care free ...

relax.. enjoy.. job well done.. at this point ...

ken

ps: all interior yellowing is normal ... dont be surprised if it happens this fall or next spring.. due to the transplanting and all
Sophie H.
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Thank you so much for the quick replies!! I really appreciate all of your comments. First-time tree planter here, so I am a bit nervous =o) It's good to know nothing is going out of ordinary.

@wisconsitom: nahh lol, just wanted to catch the problem early before it's too late.

@alley_cat_gw: Yes, I am hoping have a great wall (privacy hedge)

@ken_adrian: They are planted 1.5mths ago, so phew. Will follow your advice.

Tks again!
wisconsitom
11 years ago
Ken, in the early morning haze, I thought you were asking Sophie to picture someone "grabbing your pants, and tugging them around the nursery"! Better chug my coffee!

+oM