Hemlock dropping all needles?

10 years ago

So this spring, my Tsuga "frosty" which is about 5 years old, had a scale problem. I treated it with the recommended neonic insecticide, the same used for the wooly adelgid. It pushed out new growth all over. More than it has in years past. Suddenly, as of yesterday, the whole thing has drooped all of its needles, and dropped at least half. So this has happened within two days. It has been extremely hot and humid here this week, but I have been keeping them well watered and we have had some heavy rains. It has been living in a shady area for three years now and been growing very well. Any thoughts as to why it's so distressed? Is it too late to save it?

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HU-806069287

5 years ago

What’s causing little broken off branches dropping to ground beneath & around parameter of my 15-20 ft. Canadian Hemlocks trees which boarder my rear property in Babylon, NY? Could something like Squirrels be munching on branches for nutritional supplements?

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Comments (13)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
pix please ...

what did you use.. specifically ... did you spray in heat or hot sun??

well watered.. and lots of rain ... how do you determine when they need more than rain???

where are you ...

ken
Matt F
Original Author
10 years ago

Zone 6 Louisville, KY. I only water when there has been no rain. It's been waters daily since it has been so hot. I used green light ash borer killer. Granules.
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Matt F
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's a second photo:
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
whats the black stuff at about 3 oclock in the second pic.. landscape fabric???

ken
Matt F
Original Author
10 years ago
No. It's a stick.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
10 years ago
I would not think a 5 year old plant would need that much water. Being 'Frosty' I'm sure it is in some shade. Those needles were dead or dying for a while. Any trouble with nearby plants? Any chance of herbicide damage? Did you check for insects or damage of any kind to the trunk?

tj
Matt F
Original Author
10 years ago
I haven't noticed any damage other than that from the scale. But I treated that. No trunk damage. And yes, it is in shade. I'm completely baffled as to why this is happening. The sling growth came on strong and full. And that was just a few weeks ago.
UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
"I'm completely baffled as to why this is happening."

"It's been waters daily since it has been so hot."

Here is your answer. No plant over 1 year old ever needs daily watering. Hemlocks are somewhat sensitive to root rot, especially in hot weather. However I also would not rule out this cultivar was produced by a PNW nursery using a locally native species as a rootstock, which would cause it be even more sensitive to root rot. I dunno - I don't collect hemlocks, species or cultivars, so I don't know what root stock the big PNW wholesalers use.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years ago
Do they show the diagonal cuts of rabbits?

tj
HU-806069287
5 years ago
Do Rabbits climb trees? Most of Hamlock tree branches are small. Most measuring less then 12” long. Seems broken off branch it was attached to. At pine base, looks like a green rug scattered about. Any ideas? Their are 2-3 Squirre nests on upper pine tree branches & we do supply peanuts & black seed for the critters. Thank you for any other info you can provide. Del
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years ago
Thank you for the additional info. Yes, squirrels will nip the ends of pine branches. Never could quite figure out why unless they are very selective in nesting material. Like you, some years there is a thick mat beneath my pines of nipped tips. Perhaps they like the taste of pine sap.

tj
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
squirrels usually attack trees during nest building season ...

that said ... they are vermin.. and frankly.. i think they do carp just to be malicious ...been in hibernation too long.. lol ..

rabbits do not climb.. but if snow fall is deep enough... they can do damage that appears at height when the snow melts ...

i dont know why you opened a 4 year old post.. it would have been better.. to start a new post.. and include pix of your tree today ... lets not confuse the old pix with whatever is going on with your plant today ... live and learn.. maybe next time...

but we need pix ...

ken