Conifer Conundrum - with pictures

dodiegee

Cut the brown bits off and hope the ivy covers it

I voted for cut the brown bits out but I don't really think you'd want the ivy to cover it as I agree that that would look too messy so my vote should really be for cut the brown bits out and hope for the best .....after all you have nothing to lose and if it looked terrible you could still get rid of it but you might be pleasantly surprised.....good luck !

TallGirl

Still reading and thinking.

Nan_Dingle

Get rid of it

Get rid and at the same time get the stumps and root ground out so you can replant right away after digging in some soil improver and organic pellets

plenty of options for screen more attractive than conifers.

oldandhappy

Conifers will generally go brown when light is restricted or cut back too much. We have small ones as ornamental the varigated look especially good. We have them as our front fence not great but better than a fence in our location.I would add other shrubs or if you want a hedge lonicera(got a hedge of it myself)honeysuckle family,small leaves on branches that grow and entwine into each other...slow growing at first but very attractive once established. The light catches the leaves and looks like several differect shades of green.You can even add a climbing rose through it if you want to add colour.The brown will not go away or grow again so if you keep it add plants is my opinion. regards Dianne

oldtractor

I'd get rid of it.

Conrad

laurel7172 wrote: »

They're horrible things. Get rid now before you regret it.

(I took out all my conifers (about 30 of them) a year ago, so not biased *at all* )

But they're great dwelling for all sorts of creatures needing shelter, and garden birds readily nest in thier protective foliage. I've come to like conifers for this and other reasons.

OP - I'd keep it unless the brown got worse. I don't think such patches recover and sometimes this is caused by cutting such plants, other times it's wind chill damage etc.

It looks like maybe a junjiper of cyprus? I love crushing the foliage in my hand and sniffing it as I potter about.

Grow a climber through that side maybe?

TallGirl

I like the idea of growing a climber through it will have to check what likes shade as that is what it will have to live with. Got something out the front that might be suitable. Cannot remember what it's alled but its an evergreen climber with red and yellow flowers.. Currently in a planter with a trellis. Will move it over and take a picture as that might look better.

Edit: just tried to move it and its too heave even with the help of DH. Have moved the jasmine next to it and although it not that tall it looks better than we're it was.