This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
You can tell an arborvitae is dying by looking for clear signs like browning foliage, peeling bark, and soft or brittle branches.
Knowing how to spot these symptoms early can save your tree or at least prevent the problem from spreading to healthy arborvitae nearby.
An arborvitae that is dying often shows gradual or sudden changes in color, texture, and overall vigor.
In this post we’ll walk through the most common clues that indicate your arborvitae is in trouble and what you can do about it.
Let’s dig into how you can tell if an arborvitae is dying and what steps might still help.
How Do You Know if an Arborvitae Is Dying – Key Signs to Watch For
The first step to answering “how do you know if an arborvitae is dying” is to check the foliage color.
Healthy arborvitae keep a rich green color year round, but a dying arborvitae will start turning brown, yellow, or rusty from the inside out.
Here are the most reliable signs that confirm how you know if an arborvitae is dying:
1. Browning or Yellowing Foliage That Spreads
If the inner needles are browning while the outer ones stay green, your arborvitae may be stressed but not necessarily dying yet.
But when the browning spreads to the branch tips and covers large sections, that’s a strong indicator your arborvitae is dying.
Sometimes the color change happens gradually over weeks, other times it appears suddenly after a drought or pest attack.
Look closely at the pattern: if entire branches turn brown from the base upward, the damage is likely irreversible.
A dying arborvitae will not produce new green growth from those brown areas.
2. Soft, Brittle, or Peeling Bark
Healthy arborvitae bark is firm and slightly fibrous, but a dying arborvitae often shows bark that peels away easily.
If you can flake off large pieces of bark and see dry, discolored wood underneath, the tree is struggling.
Another test is to gently bend a small branch: if it snaps without any flexibility, the tissue is dead.
A dying arborvitae will also have branches that feel hollow or spongy when you press them.
This bark damage often means the tree can no longer transport water and nutrients properly.
3. Lack of New Growth in Spring
During spring, a healthy arborvitae pushes bright green, soft new shoots at the branch tips.
If your arborvitae shows little to no new growth while nearby trees are thriving, it’s a red flag.
A dying arborvitae may produce only sparse, stunted shoots or none at all.
This is one of the clearest ways to know if an arborvitae is dying because the tree has lost its ability to regenerate.
Wait until mid-spring to confirm, but mark the branch tips earlier to watch for changes.
4. Foul Odor or Fungal Growth at the Base
A dying arborvitae often develops rot at the base, especially if the soil stays too wet.
Smell the soil near the trunk: a sour, musty odor indicates root decay.
Look for mushrooms or conks growing on the bark or around the roots, that’s a sign of fungal infection.
These fungi attack weak trees and speed up the decline.
If you see this, your arborvitae is likely dying from the ground up and recovery is slim.
5. Needles That Drop Off in Clumps
Normal needle drop for an arborvitae happens in the inner canopy and is minimal.
But a dying arborvitae will shed large clumps of needles, leaving bare patches.
Run your hand along a branch: if dozens of needles fall off at once, that tissue is dead.
This symptom often accompanies browning and means the tree is shedding its foliage to survive.
If more than 50% of the canopy is bare, the arborvitae is in critical condition.
Common Causes That Make an Arborvitae Dying
To know how do you know if an arborvitae is dying, you also need to understand what causes these signs.
Identifying the cause helps you decide whether the tree can be saved or needs removal.
1. Drought Stress
Arborvitae need consistent moisture, especially in the first few years.
Extended dry periods cause the needles to dry out and turn brown from the inside out.
A dying arborvitae due to drought will often have crispy, brittle foliage.
Water deeply during dry spells, but don’t overwater because soggy roots also kill arborvitae.
2. Pest Infestations (Bagworms, Spider Mites, Aphids)
Bagworms are a common pest that can defoliate an entire arborvitae, causing it to appear dead.
Spider mites suck sap from needles, leaving a stippled, bronzed appearance.
Aphids produce sticky honeydew that invites sooty mold, further stressing the tree.
If you see webbing or tiny bags on branches, treat immediately to prevent your arborvitae from dying.
3. Fungal Diseases (Phytophthora, Cercospora, Tip Blight)
Root rot from Phytophthora is a leading cause of a dying arborvitae in wet soils.
Tip blight causes shoot tips to turn brown and die back, slowly killing the tree.
Cercospora needle blight creates brown spots that spread.
Fungicides can help if caught early, but often the only option is removal.
4. Winter Burn or Sun Scald
In cold climates, harsh winds and bright winter sun can desiccate the foliage.
The side of the arborvitae facing south or west turns brown in late winter.
A dying arborvitae from winter burn may recover if only the tips are damaged, but severe cases kill the tree.
Wrap vulnerable arborvitae with burlap in fall to prevent this.
What to Do If You Think Your Arborvitae Is Dying
Once you’ve figured out how do you know if an arborvitae is dying, the next step is action.
1. Scrape the Bark
Use a knife or fingernail to scrape a small patch of bark near a brown branch.
If the layer underneath is green and moist, that branch is still alive.
If it’s brown and dry, that part of your arborvitae is dead.
This test helps you see how much of the tree is still viable.
2. Prune Dead Branches
Cut off any branches that show no signs of life.
Make clean cuts at the trunk or main stem to prevent disease entry.
Removing dead wood improves airflow and lets the tree focus energy on healthy parts.
Don’t prune more than one-third of the foliage at once or you might stress the tree further.
3. Adjust Watering and Mulching
Water deeply once a week during dry periods, but let the soil dry between waterings.
Add a 2‑ to 3‑inch layer of mulch around the base (not touching the trunk) to retain moisture.
Avoid overhead watering that wets the foliage, which encourages fungal diseases.
Consistent care can revive a stressed arborvitae that isn’t fully gone.
4. Consider Professional Help or Removal
If more than half the tree is dead or if you see fungal conks at the base, it’s likely too late.
A certified arborist can confirm how you know if an arborvitae is dying beyond recovery.
Removing a dead arborvitae prevents disease from spreading to nearby trees.
Replace it with a more resistant variety if the site conditions are poor.
So, How Do You Know if an Arborvitae Is Dying?
You know if an arborvitae is dying by watching for browning foliage, peeling bark, no new growth, foul odors, and heavy needle drop.
These signs tell you the tree is under serious stress from drought, pests, disease, or weather damage.
Act quickly by testing branch vitality, pruning dead parts, and correcting care habits.
Sometimes an arborvitae can bounce back, but if the damage is extensive, removal is the safest choice.
Knowing how do you know if an arborvitae is dying lets you make the right call for your landscape.