Most people plant arborvitae because they are evergreen trees and are great for privacy.
Arborvitae grow very quickly, making them ideal for landscaping and as fence borders.
Why Arborvitae Foliage Turns Brown
Browning on arborvitae leaves can occur at various times of the year.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Not Enough Water
Water is the lifeblood of foliage.
When brown foliage happens in summer, the color change could be happening because ofdrought.
check that that your arborvitae is planted in moist, well-draining soil.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
When arborvitae do not receive full sun, they will begin to lose their vibrant green color.
How to Fix an Arborvitae Turning Brown
So how do you prevent arborvitae leaves from turning brown?
Such an irrigation regimen will help prepare the shrubs for winter.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Tip
Another preventive measure is toapply garden mulcharound your arborvitae.
Winter burn is a moisture issue, and mulch helps conserve moisture in the soil around a plant.
Supplemental Watering
Warmer spring and summer weather will also mean more water for arborvitae.
Also, look for opportunities to water your arborvitae shrub during the winter.
If the ground thaws out at some point in the winter, take advantage.
However, snowfall is not enough water for arborvitae.
A watering system, moisture meter, and mulch can help to maintain adequate watering for arborvitae.
Newly planted arborvitae should be watered daily.
The hardy shrub needs full sun.
Direct your efforts to prevent winter damage in the future.
But if the arborvitae branch never shakes the “brown look,” just prune it off entirely.
Depending on how severe winters are in your region, you may also have toprune arborvitaebecause of snow damage.
New growth will occur in late spring, so this would be an ideal time to prune.
A second seasonal prune can take place in mid- to late fall.
Arborvitae branches whose foliage turns brown (entirely) due to winter burn may not come back.
you could tell if an arborvitae has been overwatered by the color of the leaves.
If leaves are yellow, that is the most common sign that the shrub has received too much water.
Root rot, a rotted trunk, and severe infestation also point toward a dying shrub.
Winter Tree and Shrub Injury.Michigan State University Extension.
