Arborvitae concern

10 years ago

we recently moved into a new home with two lovely tall arborvitae in the backyard. Both trees are starting to show some browning around the bottom and on a few other branches. At first we thought it might be the dogs urinating too close or maybe the drought. We are staring to get more concerned. Does anyone have any thoughts?

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

10 years ago

what the soil type ....

if its well draining.. like my sand ... i would put the hose on trickle.. for 3 or 4 hours ... moving it once an hour on the compass ... if it runs off.. its not a trickle ... if you found clay.. let us know ...

did you find any landscape fabric under the stone??/

wjr .. last week .. said we are minus 3 inches of rain so far this season ...

also.. the black tissue is dog pee .. the brown stuff could be sunburn from rocks heating.. and it not cooling off at night ... is the brown south or west facing ...??? ... could also be winter damage.. as we had no snow cover.. and sun in winter can do same.. especially on rock .. regardless... trim it also .. back to a live part ....

have you ever been to hidden lakes in tipton??? .. nice afternoon trip to see hosta hillside and conifer collection ...

are you new to the area .. or just a new house???

ken

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Comments (8)

kentrees12
10 years ago
Looks like LLS. Very common on arborvitae in areas with large Canis lupus familiaris populations.
cameron_walkowiak thanked kentrees12
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
thats the spot for dogs ...

any idea how long the stones been there???

pull some back.. and dig a few 3 to 6 inch holes half way between the trunk and the canopy edge ... AND FIND OUT IF THE SOIL IS BONE DRY ???... tell us whatever you find ...

be nice to know where you are... and the weather for last two years /....

just snip out the black stuff ... its dead ... too much nitro ... urea ... pee ... just as far back as its dead ...

ken
cameron_walkowiak thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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cameron_walkowiak
Original Author
10 years ago
In Milan Michigan. If you are in Adrian you have a pretty good idea of the weather.

No idea on the stone. Just moved in in April. I will see what a find.

Thank you.
cameron_walkowiak
Original Author
10 years ago
Ok. Did some digging and it's a dry as my sense of humor down there. assume it needs a good drenching?
cameron_walkowiak
Original Author
10 years ago
Ken -

thanks for all the suggestions. Been in Michigan for the last 40 years. Just moved to Milan after 4 years in Saline. Before that closer to Detroit.

Soil up is pretty sandy. Brow Lin parts are on the south eastern part of one plant and northwestern on the other.

This dry weather is tough since I haven't had a yard to maintain in 4 years.

Never heard of the hidden lakes. Will have to check them out. Sounds lovely.

How long have you been in the area?
Mike McGarvey
10 years ago
It looks like the damage is from a small dog or male cat. I've seen where a stake is driven in the ground about 6 or 8 inches out from the damage so the urine fertilizes the plant instead of cosmetically damaging it. Attach some damaged foliage to the stake to get whatever is peeing on the Arborvitae to do it on the stake.
cameron_walkowiak thanked Mike McGarvey
wisconsitom
10 years ago
"Saline" Michigan.....or Saline, Anywhere, sounds like challenging gardening country, lol!
cameron_walkowiak thanked wisconsitom