Damage to Arborvitae Branches

Western arborvitae (Thuja plicata), also known as red cedar, is a coniferous evergreen tree that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. The tree grows 50 feet tall or more in well-draining soil and full to partial sun. Overall the arborvitae is a low-maintenance tree, but sometimes damage to branches does occur.


Deer have a big taste for arborvitae. They like the eastern version more but will nibble on the western version as well. In the spring, they will strip the new foliage from the lower part of the tree. In the winter, they are content to eat the older foliage when food is less plentiful. Besides leaving bare branches, they also break the wood when they pull on the tips or scratch their antlers on the tree. A tall fence can keep deer from the tree, but sprays that make the tree smell or taste bad will also help. If the branches do not begin to recover by the following spring, remove them.


Bagworms infest trees in the spring and summer months. Bagworm moth eggs hatch in the spring and the larvae feed on the tree while they build the hanging cocoon that will protect them as they develop into moths. The cocoons look like cones with fringe-like extensions. Bagworms damage the branches, causing them to lose foliage that may not come back. Remove the bags from the branches before spring and spray with a bt insecticide to control the worms.

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Winter and Salt

Winter frost damage and salt damage are similar in appearance. Winter frosts are more likely to affect younger trees. The damage from frost or salt appears as brown or red needles on the outer edges of the tree where the contact occurred. Winter damage is usually worse on the side of the tree that gets hit by wind. The damaged parts of the branches should be trimmed back to healthy growth. If the damage affects all the needles on the branch, remove the entire branch. Add a wind or salt screen to protect the tree from repeat damage if possible.


Fire is often fatal to western arborvitae, and the damaged tree is lost. According to the University of Nevada's JoAnne Skelly, as long as there is some green on the tree and it is not a hazard to buildings or people, it can be left until the following spring so the damage can be better assessed. If there is some blackening at the tip of the branch, but it still contains live foliage, just trimming the tips back to a bud. If the branch has no foliage or buds, it will most likely need removed. Waiting until the following spring will allow the buds time to develop and either die off, or form new foliage.


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