My Patti-Faye Lost All Of It’s Needles Starting In Mid January. What Can I Do To Stimulate New Growth?

Question

I live in North Georgia mountains, 30738. The tree is 5 years old and has never had this issse until this year. The needles started turning brown in January 2023 and by March had no needles. The limbs are flexible but no signs of new growth. Is it possible to save?

Answer 1

You can check to see if the stems are still alive by scraping off some bark. If it is green underneath it is still alive. Cedars naturally drop some needles in fall, but winter winds, summer droughts can cause more needle loss. Give it till June to see if any new growth begins. After that, if nothing happens, you may want to replace it.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/cedar/winter-damage-to-cedars.htm
https://extension.wsu.edu/pacific/2014/02/evergreen-doesnt-mean-everlasting/