Ever wonder what happens to the brown interior of your cedar trees? This article will cover all of this and more! There are a few reasons why cedar trees don’t grow back.

The dead zone, or old growth, is where cedar trees get their new growth. Your cedar tree might not grow back if it is cut in the dead zone after you have pruned it. Your cedar tree will continue to grow if you prune only the new growth at least a third of its height.

Natural browning and seasonal needle drops are common in evergreens. However, this could be an indication of a larger problem. Continue reading to find out what it means and how your cedar tree will not grow back.

Will Your Damaged Cedar Tree Grow Back?

First, ask yourself what caused the damage to your cedar tree. Are you unsure if it is due to the seasons, drought, water stress, pathogens or infestations?

There could be many reasons why your cedar tree has become brownish in some spots. It is normal for cedar trees to drop needles if it is seasonal.

Your cedar tree will begin to lose its yellow and brown needles as a result. This happens from summer to autumn. It may be hard to distinguish between the two types of damage to your cedar trees.

The next step is water stress or drought. Dry conditions can be easily attributed to browning of the needles at the base. This doesn’t always indicate that the problem is serious. However, if you notice no signs of stress or bug damage, soak it for at least one week to see if it helps.

Root rot can also occur if the tree is in an area that is too dry or too wet. This can be devastating for any tree.

Root rot can cause a tree to turn brown on one side. Root rot, Armillaria rootrot, is a disease that affects evergreens and cedars. There is no cure and your tree will die.

A infestation can cause your cedar tree to turn a scary brown color. Spider mites, a pest that can infest cedar trees, are quite common. To get rid of spider mites from your cedar tree, you can use insecticidal shampoos.

Your cedar will usually grow back if it turns brown or has minor damage. If it appears to be affecting your whole tree, it may be in danger.

If you’re unsure, it is best to call tree professionals to assess the situation.

Did you know that many cedar trees have blue needles. They are stunning and fascinating to learn more about.

Will My Cedar Tree Grow Back After Trimming?

Cedar trees are a result of new growth so you need to be extra careful when trimming them or pruning.

The dead zone is an area within a cedar tree that is made up of deadwood. The dead zone is where new growth begins at the ends of branches. This is the result of new buds that were formed last year at the ends.

When trimming or pruning cedar trees keep to the green area. You should not cut into the dead/brown areas of your cedar trees.

Will Deer Eaten Cedars Come Back?

There is conflicting evidence as to whether cedar trees will be eaten by deer, or if they are “deer-resistant”. However, deer will eat anything if they are hungry.

While deer might not always eat cedar, there is a good chance that they will eat it.

If your cedar trees are being chewed, it is likely that they will return. However, this all depends on how old and healthy your tree is. It doesn’t matter if the tree is a new sapling or small, but if the tree is older and more mature, it will be taller and out of reach of deer.

It’s possible that your tree won’t come back if it’s young. This is because of the extra stress placed on young trees who are already adapting.

If the tree is an older one and the deer feed on it, the branches won’t come back but the tree will likely survive. This situation is better for established and healthy plants.

A deer spray is a good option. Liquid Fencing HG-70109 Animal Repellent repels deer. You can use it all year! However, you’ll most likely need to alternate between the Repels All Animal Repellent Concentrate.

The best way to keep deer away from products is to alternate between them. The deer repellents are both strong-smelling, which is why they work!

Should I Prune My Cedar?

This is the most important question you should ask. Is it a good idea to prune your cedar trees? The short answer to this question is “Yes!”

Pruning can be a great way for your tree to get the boost it needs. It involves removing dead or dying branches. Pruning will prolong your tree’s life, increase airflow, stimulate growth and protect it against pests and other internal problems.

Any trimming beyond the ones listed above will likely be done to improve the shape of the cedar. This is a fine thing to do. Do not trim in the dead zone or brown interior of the cedar.

Stop when you get to that point. You should only trim about a third off your cedar’s green growth if you want it to look natural. This will ensure that your cedar grows back.

Next is the best time to prune your tree. To prevent diseases or infestations, it is best to prune your cedar tree in the spring and late winter. Cool temperatures are best for pruning cedar trees to ensure they heal quickly before any insects emerge.

You will need the right tools if you want to prune your cedar trees.

This includes hand pruners and loppers as well as a handsaw, pole saw, or handsaw. We have some suggestions that will make pruning easy.

You should keep a hand pruner in your gardening tool box. These are great for trimming branches smaller than 1/2-inch in diameter. The FELCO F-2068780 Classic Manual hand Pruner is an excellent choice for hand-pruning your cedar tree, especially when you wish to shape it.

Felcos have a reputation for being durable and efficient. They are made of steel and can easily cut branches like a pro. They are more expensive than other hand pruners, but they are well worth the investment.

Another great tool to keep on hand is the lopper. These tools allow you to reach higher branches and those too thick to use hand pruners.

The branches are cut by loppers to a diameter of 1/2 to 2 inches. The Fiskars 15-inch Pruning Saw With Handle. This pruning saw makes outdoor work much easier and cuts with ease.

A pole saw is another tool that we recommend keeping in your outdoor tool box. The Fiskars 7-16 Foot Extensionable Pole Saw and Pruner is a great choice. It can reach up to 16 feet in height! It can trim branches up to 1 1/4 inches thick due to its steel pruner blade.

It’s extensible so you don’t need to drag the ladder around every step to reach the top. Fiskars also offers a lifetime warranty.

That’s A Wrap!

That’s it! Let’s look at why cedar trees will not grow back, and what you can expect.

Pruning can be a great way for your cedar tree to live longer and get the support it needs. You can remove dead or dying branches and other undesirable material.

This will prolong the life span of your tree and will stimulate growth.

As with most evergreens you need to be cautious about how far back you are pruning a cedar tree. The dead zone is where cedar trees get new growth from old growth.

You can cut off the areas where the new growth originated, but not the dead zone. Your tree will likely die if you do this. Your tree will continue to grow if you prune only the new growth (or the green portion) before you go back into the brown, dead area, approximately a third of its length.

Your cedar tree can turn brown for many reasons. Some are natural and your tree will recover. A few of these reasons, such as a pest infestation, Armillaria root Rot, could mean that your cedar tree might be on the verge of being felled.

Deer may also eat your cedar trees, and eat into the dead zone. However, the parts they don’t reach will grow again, but it is likely that the rest of the dead zones are gone.

This is it! Thank you for staying put and finding out why cedar trees don’t grow back and what to expect.