Question
We have recently purchased a new cottage on an old lot (where there was a house many years ago).  Surrounding our cottage are some mature cedar trees that give very nice protection.  For the most part, they look healthy.  However, there are 2 or three that are pretty much dead for the first 3 or 4 feet from the base .. and then are green and healthy at the top.  I'm not sure what happened to them.  Perhaps they were flush against the old house.  Or maybe in the shade.  Not certain. Is there any way to bring these old cedars back (i.e. if they're fertilized properly, will green start to grow from the bottom?

They are very high.  If nothing can be done, I'm actually thinking of growing a vine (maybe English ivy or Viginia Creeper) from the bottom to cover the terrible looking dead areas.  These damaged cedar trees are part of a tall hedge, so I'd like to try something.  They are right beside the deck, so the deadpart is at eye level.  I don't want to cut them down, because they provide a wonderful shelter and terrific privacy.

Any suggestions?

Appreciate any help.

Yours,

Roberta

Answer
Trees as they get older will shade out the lower limbs and these will die. It has nothing to do with the health of the tree in fact it usually means that the tree is growing good. These dead lower limbs can be pruned off making a clean trunk. The tree will not grow these back.

I would not recommend English ivy of trees. IF you just had to have an ivy I would go with the Virginia creeper but keep it under control with pruning.

English Ivy's Adverse Impacts on Trees


Ivy competes with the trees, especially seedlings, for water and nutrients.

Ivy vines eventually grow into a dense cover on the bark of the tree's trunk. depriving the bark of the normal contact with air and micro-organisms.

Ivy vines grow to a very large size - often four or more inches in 30 or less years - and have a very high water content thus add considerable weight to the tree making it more susceptible to toppling and blow-down.

The stiff, waxy characteristics of Ivy leaves hold water, ice, and snow which also add to weight and exacerbate conditions leading to toppling and blow-down.

Mature Ivy grows in spiral pattern as opposed to the horizontal-vertical pattern of the immature plant thus it 'furls' out around the branches and trunk further reducing the ability of the tree to perform photo-synthesis.

When Ivy grows up the tree seeking the light it needs to mature and propagate, it eventually covers the apical stem or apex of the tree. The tree reacts as if it has been topped: experiencing biologic stress and sending messages of its distress out to the types of micro-organisms whose purpose is to hasten the demise of the tree.

The Ivy growing around the tree has supplanted the deciduous plants which have a growth and decay cycle that replenishes the nutrients in the soil.


The Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a fast-growing, high-climbing vine that attaches itself with tendrils which expand, disk-like, on their tips. The deciduous leaves that radiate outward from a leaf stem, like spokes on a wheel. Each leaflet is about 3"-7" long and an inch or two wide. The leaves turn fiery red in fall and are very showy. The individual flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, and arranged in elaborate long-stemmed clusters, with each flower at the tip of its own flower stem. The berries are blue-black, less than a half-inch across and much relished by birds. Easy to grow, the Virginia Creeper can get out of hand if not managed.

Also known as Woodbine, it will send up sprouts and seed itself, and established plantings may smother shrubs and trees. Virginia creeper will thrive in most soils, in sun or partial shade, with or without a structure to climb on. Virginia creeper is favored for its brilliant fall foliage and as a manitenance-free ground cover. When allowed to clamber over trees or other tall structures, it develops elongated leafy festoons that are especially showy. Where there is nothing to climb, it attaches to the ground with adventitious roots, and makes an excellent cover for slopes or other places where grass is not practical or desired.