dying juniper

Sat May 03, 2008 10:36 pm

My hubby trimmed all our juniper bushes from the bottom up and they look really nice. But one of them looks to be dying, turning brown, but the others are ok. We're not sure what happened, but does anyone know if the bush could die if he trimmed too close to the trunk? Thanks.

Sun May 04, 2008 12:39 am

Looks like it is in need of nitrogen. Give the soil some composted manure around the root line of the plant. Unfortunately that means removing your marigolds. Actually, just compost them right into the soil with the manure, they will aid your juniper as well. And the soil looks incredibly dry, add some leaf mulch to the soil to increase the water holding capacity.

Of course, don't forget to water and deep water your tree which means putting the sprinkler or soaker hose on for at least an hour.

Also, if you plant some crimson clover around the tree (instead of marigolds or other flowers) it will look really nice and your can trim it down for some green manure for your Juniper and Nitrogen fixing bacteria will assoiciate with nodules on the clovers roots which the plants will give to your tree when you cut them back. And have this green manure will reduce your need for watering because it will shade your soil.

Sun May 04, 2008 10:55 am

Budaboo, are those webs actual spider webs? I ask because one of the relatively common pest of junipers is spider mites. The webs look big for mite webbing but I'm searching for clues. Try putting a blank sheet of white typing paper under one of the browning branches and shake it lightly. If you see anything moving on the paper send us a description or a photo - if it is mites they will be very tiny.

Sun May 04, 2008 4:13 pm

Yes, those are spider webs, but they don't look any different than the webs that are usually on the bushes. These junipers have been in my garden for years, and this one only started dying right after my hubby trimmed them up. There are 5 other bushes that he trimmed the same way, and they're all doing fine. Thanks MaineDesigner, I'll try the white paper test like you suggested.