If you have ever wondered why your arborvitae is turning yellow, then this blog post is for you. Arborvitae is sensitive to environmental changes and requires a lot of care to survive. With the right care, arborvitae can grow into a beautiful specimen in just three years! Unfortunately, many people neglect their trees and leave them unprotected.
This leads to its leaves turning yellow or brown, which indicates that something needs to be done. Read on for information about what could be making your arborvitae turn yellow, as well as how to fix it, so it doesn’t happen again!
So Why is My Arborvitae Turning Yellow?
Arborvitaes are sensitive to environmental changes. They require a lot of care in order to survive and thrive, which is why they have so many leaves that provide protection from the sun’s rays as well as nutrients for their roots. Without this, arborvitae turn yellow or brown, indicating something needs to be done! So, what could be making your arborvitae turn yellow?
Pollution
If you live in an urban area or near a busy road, then pollution can make your plants turn yellow. If this is the cause of your tree turning brown, take it to a more rural location with cleaner air and give it plenty of water. The leaves will eventually turn green again.
What type of soil is the tree planted in?
The type of soil that your tree is planted in can also be the cause for it turning yellow. If you have a potting mix, then this could lead to your arborvitae getting too much or not enough water, which will make them turn yellow. If this sounds like what’s going on with your plant, try watering deeply and less often.
What type of fertilizer is being used?
If the plant has been fertilized with a chemical that contains nitrogen, then it will turn yellow because it will not be able to uptake phosphorus and potassium, which are two essential elements in order for leaves to stay green. In this case, dilute the amount of chemical fertilizer you use or switch to organic fertilizers.
What is the light and water schedule?
If your plant has been in direct sunlight for too long or if it doesn’t get enough water, then it may turn yellow because of these two things. Make sure that you give it plenty of sun exposure without burning its leaves, but also make sure that rain runs off before watering it.
What type of plant food is being used?
If you have been using chemical fertilizer, then your arborvitae could be turning yellow because the nitrogen content in that fertilizer blocks its ability to uptake phosphorus and potassium, which are two essential elements for leaves to stay green so make sure not to use too much or switch to organic fertilizers.
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If you don’t water your arborvitae enough, then it will not be able to keep up its natural defense against environmental changes. Droughts can also make them turn yellow because they become thirsty.
If your arborvitae is turning yellow, then watering it deeply a few times should make its leaves turn green and vibrant again!
Lack of Proper Nutrients
If your arborvitae is turning yellow, then you may not be giving it the proper nutrients. Arborvitaes need a lot of water because they have so many leaves for protection from the sun’s rays as well as to keep their roots moist and healthy. If this is what has caused your tree to turn brown with yellow leaves, make sure it is getting plenty of water and nutrients, such as sulfur.
Is Transplant Shock Causing Arborvitae to turn yellow?
Transplant shock is could be a reason your arborvitae is turning yellow. Transplant Shock occurs when the plant goes from being in one environment to another that has different conditions and would require adjustments for survival. Those adjustments happen over time as the plant adjusts its growth patterns accordingly. Planting Arborvitae too close together may cause the leaves to turn yellow.
The best way to get your arborvitae turning green again is by simply pruning it back and letting it grow out so that you can see which branches are still alive. Pruning will also help reduce water loss, as well as control the overall size of your tree or shrub. It will also keep the plant from being top-heavy, which can cause your tree to fall or brush against things.
Improper Planting
If you planted your arborvitae too close together, they might have been exposed to diseases and pests. Take a look at the branches and leaves of the tree for signs of disease or pest damage before deciding whether or not to take any action against them.
Pests and Diseases
The most common pests that can cause yellowing leaves are aphids, mites, scales, and mealybugs. These insects suck the sap from your tree, which will make them turn brown and eventually kill it.
What are Aphids
Aphids are tiny bugs that live on the undersides of leaves. They will suck your tree’s sap and eventually kill it in this manner. When a plant is infested by aphids, its leaves usually turn yellow as they die because there isn’t enough sap to go around for both leaf growth and combating pests.
What Are Mealy Bugs
Mealybugs are a type of insect that lives on the undersides and leaves. They will suck sap from your tree, which will cause them to turn brown, die, and eventually kill it over time. When you see mealybugs on your plant’s leaves or twigs, then they need to be treated quickly because these insects multiply quickly.
What are Scales
Scales are a type of insect that will suck the sap from your tree and eventually kill it as well because there is not enough sap for both leaf growth and fighting off pests. When you see scales on your plant’s leaves or twigs, then they need to be treated immediately because these insects multiply quickly.
What are Mites
Mites suck the sap from your tree and will eventually kill it because there is not enough sap for both leaf growth and fighting off pests. When you see mites on your plant’s leaves or twigs, then they need to be treated immediately because these insects multiply quickly as well.
How Do I Keep My Arborvitae Tree From Turning Yellow?
- Water deeply but infrequently. Arborvitaes like to be wet, so make sure that the soil is moist all of the time. However, water is often enough for your tree not to dry out in between watering sessions.
- Prune back any branches that are yellowing or wilting from lack of nutrients and water. If your arborvitae is planted too close together, make sure that there are a few feet between each plant. This will give the plants more room to grow as well as not compete for nutrients and water with their neighboring tree.
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Last update on 2023-11-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Aphids like warm conditions, so if you notice them on your tree, then it may be a sign that the temperature is too high.
- Keep your arborvitae tree away from other plants and trees if possible, as this will help to reduce disease and pest spread. This also helps control how many nutrients are available for the plant because sometimes they can steal each others’ food sources. -Don’t forget to fertilize your tree with an organic or natural fertilizer.
- Mealybugs can be controlled by using garlic, tobacco, and pepper sprays on the leaves of infested plants. -Scales are best treated with horticultural oil sprayed directly onto them while they’re still young (about one week old). The oils will suffocate the scales.
- Mites can be controlled by using a horticultural oil spray on the leaves of infested plants. This will suffocate and kill any mite larvae that are present while also preventing new eggs from being hatched in the future.
- Compact and Columnar Growth: Emerald Green Arborvitae is known for its narrow, upright growth habit. It forms a dense, columnar shape that makes it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens, hedges, or windbreaks in residential landscapes. Emerald Green only reaches 12-15′ H and 3-4′ W and requires no pruning.
- Vibrant Emerald Green Foliage: As the name suggests, this arborvitae variety features vibrant, emerald green foliage year-round. The foliage consists of small, scale-like leaves that retain their color even in the winter months, providing year-round visual interest.
- Low Maintenance: Emerald Green Arborvitae is relatively low maintenance. It is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape. However, regular watering during its initial establishment period is essential for healthy growth.
- USDA Zones: The Emerald Green Arborvitae is a great tree for zones 4-8 where you may be down to -30°F. Plant in full sun to ensure consistently dense foliage and water 2-3 times per week.
- Compact and Columnar Growth: Emerald Green Arborvitae is known for its narrow, upright growth habit. It forms a dense, columnar shape that makes it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens, hedges, or windbreaks in residential landscapes. Emerald Green only reaches 12-15′ H and 3-4′ W and requires no pruning.
- Vibrant Emerald Green Foliage: As the name suggests, this arborvitae variety features vibrant, emerald green foliage year-round. The foliage consists of small, scale-like leaves that retain their color even in the winter months, providing year-round visual interest.
- Low Maintenance: Emerald Green Arborvitae is relatively low maintenance. It is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape. However, regular watering during its initial establishment period is essential for healthy growth.
- USDA Zones: The Emerald Green Arborvitae is a great tree for zones 4-8 where you may be down to -30°F. Plant in full sun to ensure consistently dense foliage and water 2-3 times per week.
- LIVE PLANT: Enjoy this outdoor green Thuja occidentalis tree all year around. An upright, narrow growing evergreen trees with rich emerald green foliage
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Last update on 2023-11-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
