Similar to other blight diseases, pestalotiopsis causes the foliage to discolor, from yellow to dark browns and blacks. I have not changed their watering schedule. Scenario: In an arborvitae planting you find dead needles, either individually or in groups, mixed in with green needles on the same branch. These trees are twelve to fifteen feet tall and about twelve years old. These trees have no serious pest or disease issues, don’t require fertilizer or pruning to … In most cases, the arborvitae will have pre-existing conditions and diseases before it is infected with pestalotiopsis blight. When the dead tissue comes in contact with the living tissue, there forms a pimple-like black fungus. Our living fence has a dead tree in it, it is time to pull it out, replant, and figure out what went wrong. Once an arborvitae is established, you don’t need to do much to tend it. The Reason Why Arborvitae Foliage Turns Brown . My arborvitae are showing signs of disease. Arborvitae Diseases, Pests & Signs of Problems. In these arborvitae diseases, the tips of the tree change its color into ash-gray or brown, which is an indication that they are dead. Browning on arborvitae leaves can occur at various times of the year. This remains on the shrubs for a long time, which in return creates fungal diseases for the tree. When it happens in summer, the color change could be happening because of drought.But if your arborvitae shrub turns brown in winter or early spring, the likely reason is winter burn. Due to their ubiquity on the landscape, arborvitae is often maligned as an unremarkable plant. Some of the most common problems are: Bagworm – Bagworm is a type of moth whose caterpillars feed voraciously on arborvitae leaves and twigs. A mass of gummy sawdust ("frass") at the base of an injured arborvitae shrub signals the presence of borers, the larvae of the cedar tree borer. Root rot, a set of fungal diseases, could be the problem, as they are fairly common with arborvitaes in our area. There are several damaging arborvitae tree diseases and pests. Avoid rot diseases by planting "Emerald Green" arborvitae in well-drained soil and do not overwater. Cedar Tree Borers ƒ{ In its larval stage, the Cedar Tree Borer bores into the inner bark and wood, frequently girdling the arborvitae, making it more susceptible to heat, drought, and disease. Pestalotiopsis blight is a fungal disease that only infects relatively weak and ailing foliage. Hosts Arborvitae is routinely planted by green industry professionals and homeowners as a landscape ornamental. Planted in rows, arborvitae provides dense screening for privacy and border establishment. When planted as a specimen tree, they can be a center piece of any landscape. Just be sure that the site gets some sun and is large enough to accommodate the tree’s full size. 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