Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level with your finger.
- Look for signs of recent fertilizer use or salt exposure.
- Observe if the browning is happening on new or old growth.
Likely causes
Inconsistent watering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips of the needles crisp up and turn brown while the rest of the foliage looks dull. This often happens after a period of hot, dry weather.
What to do: Establish a regular watering schedule of every 3 to 7 days. Ensure the water reaches deep into the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Salt burn
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear after heavy fertilizer application or if the tree is near a road treated with salt. The damage usually starts at the very ends of the needles.
What to do: Flush the soil with large amounts of water to leach out excess salts. Avoid using chemical fertilizers near the root zone for the rest of the season.
Find out what's wrong with your dawn redwood
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the base of the branches. Minor tip burn is often just a reaction to a temporary dry spell.
Stopping it coming back
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base to keep the roots cool and moist.
Dawn redwood: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your dawn redwood and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
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Questions people ask
- Can I trim off the brown tips?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it will not fix the underlying water issue. Focus on correcting the hydration first.
- Does high heat cause brown tips?
- Yes, high heat increases evaporation. If you cannot keep up with the water needs, the tree will show stress at the needle tips.
More problems with Dawn redwood
Back to the Dawn redwood guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.