Browned out Redwood trees (north, cold, summer, growth)

[vigueur2014]

I've got these three Redwood Trees, and they sit in the corner of the property, on a mound. They used to be really nice, but for the last 6 months, they have gotten browned out. I do see fresh tips on a couple of the trees. I thought it was a parasite or something, so I did some branch shaking, and nothing fell out of them. Got an Arborist coming next week to check it out. I was told it was more than likely lack of water.
Anybody use one of those deep drip watering spikes? I'd hate to lose them and have to remove them...would be a large void in the yard. Because of the fact they are on a mound, it may not be ideal for them.

[georgeinbandonoregon]

well, the surrounding vegetation (which probably have shallow roots) seem in good shape and apparently not suffering from drought so IMHO don't think the deeper rooted redwood is suffering from inadequate water??? digging a small hole should be able to tell you if there is significant dryness in the upper (12-18") layers of soil at least. of course if you have also changed your watering practices in the last six months or so this might indeed point to moisture stress.

OTOH, redwoods are sensitive to cold and/or salty winds (like near the seashore) and IF you are in a place to exposed to cold winds or ocean winds that MIGHT be the cause. good luck to you and your plants.

[Hemlock140]

How cold did it get this winter? My parents have one at 500' elevation near the Olympics (Port Angeles) and every year the top dies from the cold, 15-20F at times, but then grows back again over the summer/fall. Anything colder than USDA Zone 7 is going to be a problem without some winter protection, hard on a tree that size.

[azoria]

I don't know what's wrong with your trees exactly, but from the looks of the photo, you're going to lose them. Browned out from bottom to top. This is a dying plant.

I'm guessing that the drought is playing its part. Redwoods and other indigenous evergreens in California actually have their growth season in the winter when it's cool and rainy, and are dormant in the summer.

Four winters without sufficient moisture could well have killed them off. I can't see a redwood putting up with that kind of deprivation.

souce: I lived on the CA north coast for over a decade, part of it in a redwood forest.

[Bulldogdad]

Get a soaker hose around those trees immediately and get it going. Keep it going until the ground is saturated.

Location?