Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil 3 inches down to see if it is dry.
- Inspect the foliage for signs of spider mites.
- Check if the tree is near a salted walkway or road.
Likely causes
Drought stress
Most likelyHow to tell: The foliage feels dry and brittle to the touch. This often happens during hot, dry summer months when the tree cannot pull enough water.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days. Ensure the water reaches 6 to 10 inches into the soil to encourage deep roots.
Salt burn
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, usually caused by heavy road salt application near the root zone in winter. You will see browning specifically on the sides facing a driveway or road.
What to do: Flush the soil with large amounts of fresh water in early spring to leach out salts. Apply a thick layer of organic mulch to protect the roots from future salt runoff.
Find out what's wrong with your northern white cedar
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
If the browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the tree, it may be a sign of root rot. Minor browning on older interior foliage is normal as the tree matures.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season and avoid using deicing salts near the root zone.
Northern white cedar: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your northern white cedar 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
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim them for aesthetic reasons. Use clean, sharp shears to cut just behind the dead tissue.
- Will the brown tips turn green again?
- No, once the foliage has turned brown and died, it will not recover. New growth will only appear on healthy green branches.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Northern white cedar
Back to the Northern white cedar 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.