Evergreens Shed, Really?

Sometime during the last month or about this time of year is when many gardeners think their evergreens- spruce, pines and arborvitaes are dying. Well, they do look a little sickly for about 3 weeks or so and it is because they are molting or shedding their 2 or 3 year old leaves or in this case needles. Yes, as strange as it may seem evergreens do shed their needles but many people do not notice this happening. That's because evergreens do not drop 100% of their needles at the same time like deciduous trees such as maples or other trees we find in wooded areas.

Normal fall evergreen needle shedding

If you look closely at the end of one branch of your pine or spruce tree you will notice where the newest growth stops and starts on each branch for the past few years. The newest growth that the needles are attached to, on the end of the branch, will be a lighter color. On some evergreens when you go back one more year's growth you will see these needles are still on the tree just like the current year's needles are. Now if you go back another 'whorl' of needles, this will be the growth from 2 or 3 years ago. These needles will likely be turning yellow or brown and will be falling off just like they should be in the fall when leaves fall off other trees. This is normal and are visible for about a month until we get a good rain or strong wind that removes these 2 or 3 year old (leaves) needles. That is when the phone stops ringing and everyone is happy again with the appearance of their evergreens.

There are exceptions to the rule, some evergreens like yews (Taxus) will drop their previous year's needles in the spring. Arborvitae foliage is likely to turn brown instead of the yellow like some of the other evergreens.

If you have questions and are not sure if your plants are doing well you can attach a photo to an email and send to info@meadowview.com and we will help you determine what is causing the discoloration of the foliage on your plants.

The time for concern is when the newest growth is turning yellow or brown. This is not a good thing to see and may be the result of a serious problem with the root system due to poor drainage. If the plant has yellowing or browning new growth after being recently planted then it is likely to be a situation where the plant is lacking in moisture because the root ball is drying out and the plant is dying. Always check the moisture in the root ball to determine if the plant is lacking in water.


30 years of Growing
Meadow View Growers
New Carlisle, OH
www.meadowview.com

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Landscaping/Gardening Information:

Related Articles


Rose - The Flower of Love and Romance
What is the flower that everyone visualizes and associates with love or romance? ‘Rose’ is the instant answer by anyone. The rose is placed on a high pedestal by almost all the ancient civilizations which is indicated by the fact that the flower has been associated with numerous myths and legends.
Why Teak Coffee Tables Are Essential For Your Outdoor Space
One of the best ways to bring together the many pieces of furniture in your outdoor space is to accessorize with teak furnishings such as teak coffee tables. By placing a teak coffee table in your space, you create a feeling of completeness and hominess that is just not captured by most who try to decorate their outdoor spaces.
The Importance of Garden Decor
The Quest for SignificancePeople are looking for ways to add significance, peace of mind, a quality experience, and an escape from the "rat-race" in their lives. Stated differently, people want to add depth and meaning to their lives.
Garden Fencing
I made my very first garden when I was six in a small corner at the end of my grandmother's garden. It was a small patch, not more than six rows by 10 plants long, but it was MINE, with the flowers I picked and the dirt that I dug.
The Truth About Tulips
Roses may be beautiful but Tulips are magnificent. The huge colorful blooms we associate with Holland make stunning bouquets.
Grow Organic Vegetables
There are more reasons than ever why anybody with access to a few square feet of the outdoors should grow their own organic vegetables.You may be shocked at how much of the produce at your local supermarket has been genetically modified.
Commercial and Residential Flagpoles
The world's tallest unsupported flagpole is located in Amman, Jordan. Erected in 2003, the carbon steel pole juts 416 feet into the sky and weighs a staggering 190,000 pounds.
5 Things To Consider Before Purchasing a Push Reel Mower
Push Reel Mowers are making a "comeback" of sorts, though, in reality they've never really left; they've just gotten better. There are a number of reasons why purchasing a reel mower would make sense such as: better for the environment; more exercise; lighter; and, better for the grass, to name a few.
Agio Patio Furniture
The fresh air of the early spring solstice and the celebration song of the earth call us to leave the safety and comfort of our indoor winter haven. We venture forth to explore the new life that is springing up all around us, and habitually look for a place to relax and absorb the sounds and smells swirling through the air.
The Perfect Accent -- Miniature Roses
Indoors or out, you'll find miniature roses very easy to grow. These little guys sometimes get overlooked because they give off little fragrance, yet they can be the perfect visual accent to any home or garden.
Starting Seedlings Indoors
Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like it, those living in cooler climates will have to start seedlings indoors if they are to take full advantage of their growing season.Here are some gardening tips to starting seedlings indoors.
Flowers Wilting? Tips for Making Your Flowers Last Longer
We all know one disadvantage of flowers is that they don't last very long. While they are here they bring happiness and warmth to any dull decorating space.
Come With Me To The Casbah!
A ripe persimmon is a thing of beauty - sweet, succulent and an amazing shade of orange-red. Orange and red continue to be popular colors in decorating this year but 2004's shades are softer and more vibrant, like ripe persimmons and pomegranates.
The Sundial - Garden Ornament or Exotic Timepiece?
Most of us regard a sundial as an attractive ornament fora park or garden. Their effectiveness as time keepers ishighly variableThat's unfortunate, because it is not at all difficult to ensure that your garden sundial will be an accurate timepiece, provided, of course that the sun is shining.
Fountains of Refreshment
When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your senses to keep cool. Sight and sound have amazing psychological effects, even when the thermometer soars.
How to Create a Zen Garden
When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured up is of a dry landscape with rocks surrounded by carefully raked gravel which invites you to withdraw from the noise of the world outside and to enter into silent meditation. Some say that zen priests adopted the dry landscape style in the eleventh century as an aid to create a deeper understanding of the zen concepts, but others hold that the Japanese Zen Garden is a myth.
Decorate Your Outdoor Spaces on a Budget!
Many times when the weather becomes sultry, the only place we want to be is in our favorite chair on the porch, sipping ice-cold lemonade! So, if we are to spend our summer months languishing with Mother Nature, why not treat our "outdoor room" to a little freshening up, and make our time outdoors more enjoyable! Here are some great, easy ideas you can use to add your own personal style to a much used "summer home"!Treat your outdoor space just like an indoor room when you think about decorating it. Mother Nature has got the ceiling covered in most cases, but you should think about floors, furniture, accessories, color, and, yes, walls, just like any other project! Choose a theme, even if it's just color!Use existing fencing, tall plants, trellising, etc.
A Storage Bench Provides Much Needed Outdoor Space
If you are like most of us, there are two things that you cannot get enough of: storage and outdoor seating. What if I told you that I have the perfect solution to solve both of these problems and that it comes in a stylish, hard to resist package?The truth is that by using storage benches to provide comfortable outdoor seating you can solve your storage issues as well.
The Rich History of Wild Roses
Wild roses, of the genus Rosa, are those naturally occurring natives found in Northern Hemispheres around the globe. Wild Roses can be found in forests, canyons, logged wastelands and thickets.
Composting - aka: The Circle of Life!
Composting is where the gardening thing comes full circle. You've created your garden bed, you've nurtured your plants.