Dying Conifers

Hi
Just wondered if anyone can help?

I don't know the name/type of conifer but it's a nice tightly growing mid to light green. growing as a hedge, as they've been regularly trimmed it almost looks mossy/furry when healthy.
But since last summer they have started to die off in parts. Brown and dry then going black.

I'm in the north east and we have had quite a dry long summer and a mild winter so far. No dogs. :confused:

Pests? Disease ? Conditions ?

I also have some similar conifers that are as yet unaffected. there are two together and one is dying and one looks fine...

Anyway what to do.. they are quite badly browned, in a 'random' kind of way.
so can they be saved? sprayed, feed, or chop down and start again.
how hard can they be pruned??

any help or advise is welcome.

Cheers Jim

 

Looking back at what you said, mossy/furry sounds abit more like juniper - if you crush the needles / scale, is there a strong scent?

 

mulch now and spray with water in summer

 

Hi
Thankyou for your reply's.
I will try and get a photo on later today.
I would love to save them...here's hoping..!

Cheers
Jim

 

Here are earthworm jim's pics -

 

Don't look too healthy, that's for sure! But very neatly trimmed!! :D So, what does everyone think? I think it's a lost cause, myself. :(

 

Wow - they really are dried up aren't they? :(

Some of the big conifers at the back of us were timmed down a few years ago, and left a lot of very dead looking material - one side was healthy, the other looked done for - but the dead looking side picked up a long time later! Now they look like nothing ever happened to them so there may be hope!

PS - it's a shame I'm pulling them out this summer then! Anyone want some conifers?!

 

the only conifers I know of that'll pick up from virtually zilch are yews - and these pics aren't yews!! Prob a thuja or cypress, imo.

 

They look a bit far gone to me, possibly some kind of disease, I dont think its drought myself.
You could leave them and dont trim this year, see if it grows out, but they could start to look untidy.
Personally, and I know some might not agree, but I dont like to see these large growing conifers clipped to such a low height, its very un-natural and the hedge tends to be unhealthy or a best short lived. :(

 

Thanks everyone.
But I think they will have to go..! :(
thanks for the trimming compliments but it's not my doing, recently moved in..

So whats the best replacement hedge then ??
get your votes in.

Cheers..

 

you know mine, Jim!!

 

Unless I'm mistaken, that yellow conifer is Thuja - and looks to far gone to do anything with. I don't think its a disease - there is the odd desperate little new shoot. I think that it is drought as the main reason (difficult to see from its position with no bed - where it gets any water)and close clipping forcing constant new growth. Your predecessor has a lot to answer for.

I would take the whole lot up - run a picket fence down the boundary and plant against it. Have you considered Lavender and roses - or if you must have evergreen - consider the ubiquitous privet or mahonia.

 

I'd suggested cherry laurel, Fran, when Jim e-mailed me - and I agree - first thought thuja, because of the flatness.

 

Just a thought, is it possible your hedge has been sprayed with growth retardant by the previous owner? We did have a few really warm days last summer but non of the conifers seem to have suffered round here and I'm not that far away so I doubt if drought caused the damage.

Anyway, since it's coming out, let's rejoice in its passing! If you like spring bees and autumn berries, cotoneasters will make a good dense hedge and the birds will love you for it. Also, Laurel is evergreen and slow growing.

 

you could be right, Frogesque, I saw nasty results in privet where a neighbour had used it - now banned of course (like armillatox for such purposes!!!!) I reckened cherry laurel would be better than laurel as it grows faster and more densely +++ is cheaper!