When an arborvitae shrub turns brown, will it survive?

If it is brown, it is probably dead or on its way out. Arborvitae are evergreen plants, so when the tips start to turn brown, that is when you need to take action. Once it is completely brown, you need to dig it up and plant something else.





There is a difference between fall coloration in evergreen plants and it actually dying. Fall coloration in evergreens is an off brown, but still kindof green (all be it a sickly brown-green!). When a plant is all brown and crispy, no coloration in the stem, it is dead (or could be dying). Nothing can bring it back, especially if a disease or insect has taken over the plant.

When an arborvitae shrub turns brown, will it survive?
Some arborvitaes foliage naturally turns brown in the fall, usually right after cone formation. If this is what is happening to your plants, there is nothing to worry about. This is just old evergreen folliage. It's similar to when old pine needles fall off a pine tree in the fall. I haven't found one arborvitae that doesn't do this.
Reply:Levi33 is on track.





Arborvitae (Thuja) is notorious for a fall 'needle' cast. The oldest foliage (towards the center of the shrub) turns gold then brown. Sometimes it is so bad that it looks as though most of the plant is dieing. As long as the "outer layer" of the foliage remains green, and flexible... it'll be okay.





Next year give it a good fertilization. I'd recommend ESPOMA 'Hollytone' or 'Treetone'. Follow the directions. If you'd prefer, you can use a water-soluble fertilizer. Always follow the directions on the package.





I hope that this helps


Good luck-
Reply:Maybe - they are pretty hardy.





I have one in my yard that the deer would eat down to a nub every winter. It always came back, but it never got very big. I finally put some fencing around it to protect it from the deer, and it's starting to get some more growth on it.





Try protecting it from the elements some this winter (assuming you're in the northern hemisphere). This means animals, road salt, or ice damage if it's under a dripping eave, for example. Then see what you get in the spring. Keep it watered then if it needs it, and maybe add some fertilizer like Miracle Gro.

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