Any experts on Western Red Cedars?

Hi All,

I have a mature Western Red Cedar which seems to have given up the ghost at a rapid pace.

I am not a tree surgeon myself but I have asked 3 local reputable tree surgeons to look at the tree and none of them can tell if it's diseased and none of them can think of an explanation for its rapid decline in foliage colour - since the photos were taken 3 weeks ago the branches have almost turned completely light brown in colour.


One guy said he thought it might have struggled with the recent years of drought then very wet conditions this year (we live in Kent) - which sounds viable but it is a mature tree and well established. There are no obvious signs of external disease or fungi (though there is a dark core in the cutting - see photo).


I did my own research before the surgeons came over to check (and quote for removal if required) and the most common conditions seemed to be thuja blight or, if I was lucky, the tree was 'flagging' and would recover.


It would be great if anyone could share their opinions as, apart from the cost of removing the tree, I hate to take down mature trees and this particular tree has a prominent place in our garden.


But, with its seemingly rapidly decline in health (it seemed to go from green to the state when these photos were taken, in less than 5 or 6 weeks), I'm worried that it could become unstable and fall on to our neighbours house if not dealt with quickly.


The tree surgeons all seemed to think the tree would be fine (ie not dangerous) for a few months and it might be prudent to wait until winter to see if there any signs of recovery before taking a decision to take it down.


The other point to add to this case - and it could be a red herring - is that I had to remove a silver birch earlier in the year which was only about 20ft away as it had a fungus and was literally falling down.


And. elsewhere in the garden, I think I have seen in spring a small clump of honey fungus around the base of an apple blossom tree. From reading, I'm not sure honey fungus would readily transfer to a Western Red Cedar but may be it could and it has...


Thanks for reading, I would really appreciate the advice of a 'disease expert' in this matter.

cheers, Floyd

 

Sirococcus tsugae?

I can’t enlarge the pictures so I can’t really tell. But Sirococcus tsugae is a notifiable disease and if it is that you are going to have to get it professionally removed. It happened to a neighbour of mine a few years ago.

Sirococcus tsugae - Tree Disease - Woodland Trust

 

I would suggest rather than tree surgeons you employed an arboricultural consultant to give you a proper report and advice.
Though I would suggest that it's had it and needs to come out.

 

One of the problems with these types of trees is that sometimes the effects of drought take a long time to become apparent, and even a mature, well established specimen can succumb. By the time you get good rainfall, it can be too late for it.
Anything shallower rooted is more easily affected, and we've had some mature conifers in the neighbourhood which have succumbed, and I reckon it's because we had two drier summers, especially last year, which has just tipped them over.
I'm no expert, but I would doubt that would recover well, if at all, but I'd agree that you need a specialist rather than a tree surgeon to determine the problem and give suitable advice.

Unfortunately, trees can just be at the end of their life too, so there may not even be a specific reason.

 

I've just had to apply for permission to remove a Larch tree that has died. It's never been the healthiest looking, but the stress of 2022's drought followed by first the dry spell and then a very wet autumn, winter and spring (23/24) is probably what's finished it off.

 

Could it have been this?

Phytophthora ramorum - Tree Disease - Woodland Trust

Yet another deadly disease, like Dutch elm, sweet chestnut blight and Ash dieback, brought in by careless plant breeders and dealers.

What future are we leaving our descendants? Glad I’ll be gone soon.

 

@Tidemark are you referring to my Larch or the Western Red cedar in the first post.
To the best of my knowledge Phytophora ramorum doesn't affect Western Red Cedar and it would depend on the location of the OP as P ramorum is worse in the West of the country, less of a problem in drier areas; mainly because it needs wet conditions to spread.
As far as my larch goes the answer is possibly, at least I'm using that as an excuse not to replant with a larch.
We have had mass fellings of larch plantations in parts of the West country.

 

No, I meant your larch tree. As the Woodland Trust article that I added says, Phytophthora is a big killer of larches.

 

I've seen these take on a bronze type look in winter, but I'm assuming this is different. Maybe it is just stressed.
The dark shading of the centre wood is likely to just be the difference between sap wood and heart wood.

I'd hardly expect it to fall soon if it has only recently died, but I can understand the concern.

As to why it has died can only be ascertained by an expert.
Is it worth getting it looked at by an expert would be my issue, if its dead it needs to go
But personally I'd like to know it is truly dead before removal.

 

Thank you all for your comments. It looks like the common thought is as I feared and that we will have to remove. I will however look for a consultant first....any reccs for Bromley, Kent?

 

@Floyd Have a look here, that's where I found one when I needed one a couple of years ago. Sometimes the tree surrgeon may be able to recommend someone.

 

@NigelJ - did you mean to add a link for me or did you mean 'here' on tis website?

 

Damnation it obviously didn't copy over, cheapo NHS computer, Arboricultural Association - ARB Approved Contractor Directory there we go works on cheapo home computer.

 

Thanks!