My Evergreen Shrubs Are Dying
Growing evergreens requires very little work, but if your shrubs begin dying, it means something is wrong. Common signs of dying evergreen shrubs include dropping needles and needles that are turning brown. In many cases, dying evergreens can be saved with a simple fix in the way you care for them.
Examine where your tree is planted. Evergreens planted in extremely wet conditions can suffer from root rot.
Check your tree carefully for diseases and insect infestation. Ask a trained horticulturist from a local garden center to help you determine if your tree is diseased or not. Take a branch to your garden center that is showing symptoms for an evaluation. Follow the horticulturist's recommendation to heal the tree if there is a disease.
Check the pH levels in the soil. Evergreens prefer to grow in acidic soils, so add aluminum sulfate to the soil if levels are too low.
Add evergreen-specific fertilizer to the tree. Do not apply the fertilizer in the summer since it may burn the tree. Be careful when applying fertilizer, and follow instructions on the packaging.
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Writer Bio
David Harris is a writer living in Portland, Ore. He currently is the editor-in-chief of the online magazine Spectrum Culture. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College.
