conifer

[kmcnicol]

I have around 10 conifers to the rear of my garden and 3 of them are starting to discolour around the bottom can you tell me what is causing this and how to treat it.

thanks
Karen

[alan30]

Conifers are often self suppressing i.e. the top growth shades out the bottom growth causing it to die off. No treatment, just a fact of life. Failing that you have got to consider root or foliar disease and diagnosis cannot be given on such a brief description. You need to get an arboriculturist or horticulturist to look at them.

[vehelpfulguy]

It has also been a very hot and dry summer.

[mats01_99]

I have the same problem and I found out that it was cats doing their business around the base of the tree, discolouring the bottom foliage in the process

[Robinia]

yes, cats, dogs or, as in my garden, foxes spraying can all cause this. There's nothing you can do to restore dead parts on conifers I'm afraid.

[maggie01]

I wrote earlier in the year that we have conifers which have died off in patches through the centre and towards the tops of a couple. They are still growing green at the top and bottom. I was wondering if it was an aphid of sorts.