Arborvitae are popular evergreens, used for dense foliage and privacy screens. Though low-maintenance, they need consistent moisture; they are not drought-tolerant. Underwatering commonly leads to plant decline.
Recognizing Underwatered Arborvitae
When an arborvitae lacks water, foliage browns or yellows.
Needles become dry and brittle. Drought stress causes exterior foliage to yellow or brown, unlike normal interior browning. Branches may also droop or wilt.
Stunted growth is a symptom; new growth may be smaller or absent. To confirm, assess soil moisture around the root ball; if dry 5-6 inches deep, water is needed.
Causes of Underwatering in Arborvitae
Insufficient watering is a common cause; if water doesn’t penetrate deeply, roots remain dry, causing dehydration.
Soil type affects water retention. Sandy soils drain quickly, preventing absorption. Heavy clay soils also impact root health due to poor drainage. Drought, high temperatures, and strong winds increase water evaporation.
Competition from other plants deprives arborvitae of water. Roots from nearby trees, shrubs, or turfgrass compete for soil moisture. Improper planting hinders water absorption; root-bound plants struggle to extend roots, and planting too high or low affects moisture uptake.
Reviving an Underwatered Arborvitae
Reviving an underwatered arborvitae requires immediate root rehydration. Begin deep watering by soaking the root ball with a soaker hose or hose at the base, ensuring 6-8 inch penetration.
After initial deep watering, check soil moisture every few days. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Adjust subsequent watering based on soil dryness, weather, and plant response.
Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch around the arborvitae’s base. Mulch reduces water evaporation, moderates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds. Keep mulch a few inches from the trunk to prevent rot.
Pruning dead or damaged branches helps redirect plant energy. Remove brown, brittle sections with clean cuts. Avoid extensive pruning on stressed plants, as this adds shock. Do not fertilize; fertilizer salts draw moisture from roots, causing further dehydration.
Preventing Future Underwatering Issues
A consistent watering schedule supports arborvitae health. Young plants may need watering two to three times weekly in hot weather, while established arborvitae require deep watering once every one to three weeks. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent underwatering and overwatering.
Proper mulching maintains soil moisture and temperature. A 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch, like wood chips or shredded bark, around the drip line conserves water by reducing evaporation. This layer also keeps soil temperature consistent.
Monitor local weather and adjust watering. During drought, high temperatures, or strong winds, arborvitae need more frequent watering. During rainy or cooler weather, reduce watering frequency to prevent saturation.
Improve soil drainage if necessary for consistent moisture without waterlogging. For heavy clay soils, incorporating organic matter enhances drainage and water retention. Regular plant health checks allow early detection of stress signs, enabling prompt intervention.
Recognizing Underwatered Arborvitae
Another indicator is the texture of the needles; underwatered arborvitae will have dry, brittle foliage that may snap easily when touched. Unlike the normal interior browning and needle drop that occurs in the fall, drought stress causes exterior foliage to yellow or brown, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “flagging”. The overall structure of the plant can also change, with branches potentially drooping or wilting due to a lack of turgor, giving the plant a tired or deflated appearance.
Stunted growth is also a common symptom, as the plant prioritizes survival over new development when water is scarce. New growth may be noticeably smaller or entirely absent compared to previous seasons. To confirm suspected underwatering, assessing the soil moisture level around the plant’s root ball is important. You can do this by inserting your finger about 5 to 6 inches deep into the soil; if it feels dry at this depth, the arborvitae is likely in need of water.
Causes of Underwatering in Arborvitae
Soil type also plays a significant role in water retention. Sandy or fast-draining soils allow water to percolate quickly, often before the plant’s roots can absorb sufficient moisture. Conversely, heavy clay soils can lead to waterlogging, which also negatively impacts root health, although the issue here is lack of available water due to poor drainage rather than simple dryness. Weather conditions, including prolonged drought, high temperatures, and strong winds, increase the rate of water evaporation from both the soil and the plant’s foliage, raising its water demand.
Competition from other plants can also deprive an arborvitae of needed water. Roots from nearby trees, shrubs, or dense turfgrass can aggressively compete for available soil moisture, especially in crowded planting areas. Furthermore, improper planting can hinder water absorption; a root-bound plant, for example, may struggle to extend its roots into the surrounding soil to access water. Planting an arborvitae too high or too low can also affect its ability to absorb moisture efficiently.
Reviving an Underwatered Arborvitae
After the initial deep watering, consistently check the soil moisture levels every few days to ensure the plant remains adequately hydrated. The goal is to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, as overly wet conditions can cause further stress or root rot. Adjust subsequent watering based on the soil’s dryness, weather conditions, and the plant’s response.
Applying a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the arborvitae can significantly aid in moisture retention. Mulch helps to reduce water evaporation from the soil surface, moderate soil temperature, and suppress weeds that compete for water. Ensure the mulch is kept a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup against the bark, which can lead to rot.
If some branches are visibly dead or severely damaged, pruning them can help the plant redirect energy toward recovery. Carefully remove only the brown, brittle sections, making clean cuts at the point where the dead wood meets healthy tissue. Avoid extensive pruning on a stressed plant, as this can add to its overall shock. It is also important to avoid fertilizing an underwatered arborvitae, as the salts in fertilizers can draw moisture away from the roots, causing further dehydration and potentially irreversible damage.
Preventing Future Underwatering Issues
ablished arborvitae typically require deep watering once every one to three weeks, depending on environmental conditions. The frequency should allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, preventing both underwatering and overwatering.
Proper mulching techniques are crucial for maintaining soil moisture and regulating temperature. A 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or shredded bark, spread around the plant’s drip line helps conserve water by reducing evaporation from the soil surface. This layer also helps to keep the soil temperature consistent, providing a more stable environment for root growth.
Monitoring local weather patterns and adjusting watering practices accordingly is also important. During periods of drought, high temperatures, or strong winds, arborvitae will require more frequent watering to compensate for increased water loss. Conversely, during rainy periods or cooler weather, reduce watering frequency to prevent saturation.
Improving soil drainage, if necessary, contributes to consistent moisture availability without waterlogging. For heavy clay soils, incorporating organic matter can enhance drainage while improving water retention capacity. This ensures that water is accessible to the roots but does not sit and cause root rot. Finally, regular plant health checks allow for early detection of stress signs, enabling prompt intervention.