The Wait-and-See Approach to Trees and Shrubs
Sometimes, the best approach in life is to wait and see—especially in the world of trees and shrubs. This spring, I’ve been getting calls with two common themes:
- Evergreen trees and shrubs (arborvitae, rhododendrons, etc.) showing significant dieback.
- Maple trees with very sparse foliage.
Naturally, the first question everyone asks is: What can I do? How do I fix this? Can this be treated? Unfortunately, there’s no magic solution. Let’s take a closer look at each of these common issues.
Weather-Related Evergreen Dieback: What We Are Seeing This Year
This past fall’s drought stress, combined with winter’s cold snaps and strong winds, has led to significant dieback in many of our region’s evergreen trees and shrubs. We see widespread issues, especially in well-established plants that have weathered many seasons.
Notably, mature arborvitae show large sections of yellowed or completely dead foliage. Landscape junipers are also displaying extensive yellowing. While these symptoms may appear suddenly, the damage has
been building over several months due to harsh environmental conditions.
It’s essential to understand that this type of injury is weather-related.
No Quick Fixes
No spray, fungicide, or quick fix will reverse or prevent this kind of damage. Here’s what we recommend:
- Prune out the dead material
- Ensure your plants get enough water—especially if we experience another dry summer
- Then wait and see how they bounce back next season
Caveat: In some cases, the dieback is so extensive that it compromises the tree’s shape and overall appearance. When aesthetics or structure are too far gone, removal may be the best—and only—option.
Trouble with Maple Trees? You’re Not Alone
Another issue I’ve been seeing is maple trees not leafing out fully or looking sparse in the upper canopy. While I cannot say with 100% certainty what’s behind it, I have a few strong hunches.
Hunch #1: For two years, we saw anthracnose, a fungal disease that causes premature leaf drop. In some cases, maples were defoliating as early as late August.
That’s a critical time for trees—they rely on their leaves to produce and store carbohydrates in the trunk for the winter. If a tree loses its leaves too early, it may not store enough energy to push out a healthy canopy the following spring. Repeat that cycle a few years later, and you’ll see weakened crowns.
Now combine that with last summer’s drought and this past harsh winter, and it’s no surprise that even some of our most resilient trees are showing signs of stress.
Hunch #2: One of the challenges of having warm-ups during the winter is that the upper buds on deciduous trees may begin to swell, only to be shocked by the inevitable cold temperatures that follow.
This can also cause some issues when it comes time for leafing out in the spring. Our suggestions are the same as those above.
What About Pests?
We’ve also seen a higher-than-usual presence of the green-speckled fruit worm this spring. In large numbers, these caterpillars can cause noticeable damage to a tree’s canopy. They feed on many of our cornerstone tree species here in CT.
Again, while it’s concerning, and you may be seeing some effect on the canopy of your trees because of them, there is no need to panic. The best thing you can do is:
- Monitor the tree’s health
- Keep it well-watered during dry periods
- Remove any deadwood
- Give it time to recover – the fruit worms’ life cycle is just about up, and they will no longer munch on your favorite landscape tree!
Final Thoughts
It can be frustrating to see your trees and shrubs struggling. But remember, trees are incredibly resilient. With some basic care and a bit of patience, many will come back strong next year.
As always, if you’re unsure about what you’re seeing or need help assessing the health of your trees, don’t hesitate to call us. We’re here to help.
Wishing you a green and healthy season,
Lindsey Sienkiewicz, Certified Arborist