Why does thuja turn yellow: causes and solutions to the problem

  • Jul 31, 2021
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At the end of winter, many gardeners find yellowed thuja on their site. There may be several reasons why a plant dries and changes color. By identifying them in a timely manner and taking measures, you can save the coniferous beauty.

Thuja. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
Thuja. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
Thuja. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

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Natural causes

For some plants, colors are characteristic:

  • yellow;
  • citric;
  • golden;
  • bronze.

This is the norm for varieties such as:

  • Golden;
  • Sunkist;
  • Miriam;
  • Yellow Ribbon.

Trees that stand out with an unusual bright color against the background of the usual rich green.

In addition, yellowing of the needles is a sign that the thuja is preparing for the cold season. The needles darken and acquire a brown, almost brown color. This is a natural reaction to a drop in air temperature.

A golden-bronze hue in winter is typical for:

  • thuja western;
  • folded.

In the spring, when the process of sap flow is restored, the needles turn green again.

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Yellowing of healthy thuja is a sign of aging of the tree. The process starts from the trunk. The needles lose chlorophyll, dry out and fall off. This is normal as the life cycle of needles is 3 to 5 years. A new, green one grows in the empty place. To preserve the decorative appearance of the tree, it is cleaned of dead branches.

Landing rules violated

If extensive browning is observed in spring or summer, this indicates that the tree is sick. The most common reason is violation of the landing rules. This leads to a change in the color of the needles, their drying out and abundant falling off. Sometimes it causes the death of the plant.

Thuja. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
Thuja. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

Soil selection

Types of soil are not suitable for thuja:

  • Sandy. Loses moisture and nutrients quickly.
  • Clay. Dense, poorly conducts water and oxygen. As a result, the roots experience starvation.
  • Peat. The roots get wet and rot. This causes the needles to change color.

Light, drained, fertile soil is best suited. For example, turf, with the addition of sand and peat.

Depth of groundwater

When lying close, the root system rots and gets sick. This becomes the reason for the yellowing of the thuja and its death.

Layers with groundwater should be at a depth of at least 2.5 m.

Errors when planting a plant

In the process of planting a thuja, it is important to consider two conditions:

  1. Do not expose the root collar.
  2. Do not bury the barrel.

Violation of these rules leads to the appearance of such a dangerous disease as root rot. The plant turns yellow, dries up and dies.

The tree is placed at a distance of at least 1 m from neighbors. Thuja branches that come into contact with neighbors are bent, turn yellow and dry.

They try to avoid places with strong gusty winds and drafts.

If mistakes were made during the planting process, then the tree must be transplanted.

Improper care

Violation of the watering regime can cause yellowing of the thuja. Not only moisture stagnation is destructive, but also its insufficient amount. Under average climatic conditions, one adult tree is watered once every 7 days. Take 2 buckets of soft, warm, settled water. Pour strictly at the root.

Cold water is not used. This can cause hypothermia of the root system, which leads to infection with fungal diseases.

If the needles turn yellow in the spring, this means that in the fall, before the dormant period of the plant, an insufficient amount of moisture was introduced. Such a tree comes to life for a long time after cold weather.

Thuja. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
Thuja. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

Spring yellowing can also indicate sunburn of the needles. During the period when the snow has not yet melted, but the sun is already active.

To avoid this, resort to the following actions:

  1. Shade-loving varieties are not planted in open areas.
  2. Cover the crown with breathable material.

If the plant has already received a sunburn, it is shaded and spilled abundantly.

Prolonged frosts in the absence of snow can cause hypothermia of the root system. From this, the crown turns yellow and dries up. Avoid this situation by mulching the root circle in the fall. A layer of peat or straw is suitable.

Subject to all the rules of agricultural technology, thuja pleases the eye with its rich green color and healthy appearance.

Do you know what the yellowed thuja needles are talking about?

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