Goldcrest Dying?

shanemcmahon · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 6

I have what looks like a dead patch at the base of a Goldcrest Shrub. Its 13yrs old and about 10-12 ft high. I had the same thing happen a few years ago to another Goldcrest which was planted at the same time about 10 ft away, the dead patch spread up half the height of the tree which was also about 10 ft high and I ended up having to cut it down.What might be causing this?The trees have got too big for their environment perhaps? They did fine for so long, Is there anything I can do to prevent the loss of the second tree also? Thanks

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2016 10:55 pm Post subject:

Just the Goldcrests or have you lost any other trees?

Cats? Dogs? Honey Fungus? Can we rule those out?

shanemcmahon · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 6

just the goldcrests yes, no pets either

Sue Deacon · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 11:42 am Post subject:

If you clear away the dead bit, is there any evidence of fungus or a 'mushroomy' smell?

shanemcmahon · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 6

No, no fungus, its just very dry

shanemcmahon · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 6

I heard they don't like being trimmed, is that true?

tagwex · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 4:46 pm Post subject:

If you cut back too hard that section will die back. The new growth only appears on the very extremities I believe. But I am open for correction.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 4:47 pm Post subject:

You can trim them, just not into the old wood.

If it is very dry, I'd carefully cut out the dead stuff and give it a good watering with liquid seaweed. It is a good tonic for sickly plants - worth a try.

shanemcmahon · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 6

Thanks , I'll try that

tippben · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 10:36 am Post subject:

Does this help? https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=132

Greengage · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 6:00 pm Post subject:

Google Cupressus macrocarpa "Goldcrest" you will probably be thankful that its dying now rather then 20 years time when you will need a mortgage to remove it.

tippben · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 8:35 pm Post subject:

The times I had to explain to customer complaints about the concept of "Dwarfism". "I bought this 6 years ago and it's 20 foot high!" "Yes Sir, it will get bigger than that over time." "But it's supposed to be a Dwarf conifer!" "Yes Sir, it is. The parent plant can grow to over 90 foot high. You're 6 foot high. If your daughter stopped growing at two foot high, what would you call that?". Misleading labelling doesn't help either. x foot at 5 years/10 years, when it's already a 3 year old plant that has been grown in a container.

shanemcmahon · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 6