Seems alot of Cedar trees (evergreen in any case) seem to be turning brown, and size and age don't seem to be a factor. Anyone else notice? I there a cause I haven't heard about?

I dont subscribe but found this from Oct 27, 2023

https://wacotrib.com/news/local/neil-sperry-biblical-drought-accounts-for-record-loss-of-cedar-trees-this-year/article_07751e20-72a1-11ee-a5eb-ebe8928991f9.html

I'm seeing several dying around my ranch, and I know of others who have, too. It is very unusual.

I have also several dying on my ranch located in Austin County.

I have several large ones dying around my place. I'm not sure what's killing them, but I'll be happy if they all die. I haven't seen any small ones dying naturally, but I have a hand with a chainsaw taking a few hundred small ones out each day.

The recent drought has made them susceptible to secondary parasites and diseases.

"The trees are under such severe stress that it takes one little additional factor like a cedar bark beetle to push the tree into mortality,"

It's pretty wild to see here in Brazos county all of the brown cedars now that everything else is turning green.

Have some monster cedars that have died. Gonna take them down and maybe mill them or use for something. brazos county.

Haven't confirmed but have heard from multiple people that if they died from the cedar bark Beatles than chipping them up will keep the insects around longer. Best way to dispose is to burn.

Is the general cedar hate for all species? I understand the cedar fever that just happened the last few months, but what is the overall hatred for them from? Neil Sperry is a fan and recommends Eastern Red Cedars.

The cedar I'm referring to is actually Ashe Juniper. It's very invasive in the hill country and a very thirsty, yet durable, tree.

Many people in the hill country whine about groundwater depletion and blame human population growth while ignoring the ashe juniper problem.

Thanks, I had read some things about that. I also have read some other material stating that idea is way overblown and almost a myth that keeps getting fed with misinformation.

I think it's a myth. Doesn't make sense to me.

Lots of dead cedars on our land in SE Burleson county - big and small. The yaupons also had a big die back and almost none that survived had berries last year.

10andBOUNCE said:

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Thanks, I had read some things about that. I also have read some other material stating that idea is way overblown and almost a myth that keeps getting fed with misinformation.

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I have no formal education in the matter of Ashe Juniper and their consumption of water, but this research shows Ashe Juniper to consume about 70% more water vs Live Oak.
https://texnat.tamu.edu/library/symposia/juniper-ecology-and-management/ecophysiology-and-growth-of-ashe-and-redberry-juniper/#:~:text=A%20mature%20Ashe%20juniper%20tree,about%2019%20gallons%20per%20day.

In my area, Ashe Juniper will naturally propagate to saturation and choke out pre-existing oak trees.

Anecdotally, I have a creek that would only flow after a substantial rain. I cleared 95+% of the Ashe Juniper within the creek and about 50' on either side. The creek now flows continuously. Flow will get down to a few gallons per minute if we don't have any rain for several weeks, but the creek bottom now keeps a pool of water where it would go bone dry prior to Ashe Juniper clearing.

I've got very few junipers on our property that appear healthy. Most look dead, lots of big trunks about to be turned into furniture & fireplace mantles.

I'm experimenting with charring some cut up trunks on the outside of my burn pile to see how they turn out when milled.