51cg

My chinese juniper has suddenly started going brown over the past 3 days or so. From what I've read, it seems like waterlogged soil may have been the cause as we had non stop rain for about 2 weeks. I've had the tree for about 3 months and its never looks like this.
can anyone advise in what I should do??
Many thanks

Carlos?

What country are you in? I doubt the tree has gone like that caused by too much water in 3 days. It does not look that bad to me, just the tips of branches as far as I can see. Have you checked to see if there is any insects on the tree? If you think is is waterlogged is the soil draining? Or is is just staying on the surface before it drains? You should be able to tell if it is wet or not. Before you are sure what the possible problem might be do not? be tempted to repot.

Thanks for your reply!
So to answer your questions – im based in London UK, we had rain a cloud for about 2 weeks recently. I checked for insects and there aren't any, my white pine had aphids a few weeks back and I treated both trees just in case. The soil is draining but was pretty waterlogged - it has since dried out as we've had a few days of hot weather. The tree is planted in a plastic training pot.

Does not look much wrong with it to me, it is hot now so it will dry out quickly, so don't think you don't need to water. I would loosen the top soil down to say 10 or 15mm to see if it drains better. I am in Wiltshire and we have had very little rain for a long while. I am watering twice a day at the momemt, and have been for several weeks.. Junipers like sun and will do best in full sun. You mention a White Pine, that is far more susceptible to being too wet than Junipers. I think the Juniper is fine and I would trim the tips that are brown and wait to see what happens., do not pinch. Also fertiliser, I use Biogold, but any organic fertiliser will do, seaweed extract or fish emulsion as well every two weeks.?

It happens from time to time on my junipers as well. I think the trees just shed old shaded needles. As long as the new growth is healthy I do not worry too much and just clean it up.

I do not think two weeks of rain in summer is a problem for junipers. In my experience they love a lot of water in summer. My first juniper got repotted for the first time this spring. It has been developed in nurcery soil outdoors without overhead protection for 9 years without issues.

Thank you both for the replies, it's given me some peace of mind that you both think the tree is OK. I will do as you both say.?
cheers?

The tree seems to be stable as its putting out new growth again with no more browning. I showed it to Peter Chan and he confirmed what both of you said. Also, two people I met at a workshop fron the area said the same thing had happened to their junipers - perhaps the prolonged rain followed by intense heat didn't help.