Is it normal for my cedar to turn brown in late summer?

Yes, this is called cedar flagging. The tree sheds older interior needles, which turn brown and drop off to make room for new growth.

Can I trim off the brown tips?

You can prune them for aesthetic reasons, but it will not fix the underlying cause. Always use clean, sharp shears to avoid damaging the branches.

Western Red Cedar: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil 3 inches below the surface to check for moisture.
Inspect the foliage for signs of pests or physical damage.
Check if the browning is only on the interior needles, which is normal.

Likely causes

Drought stress
Most likely
How to tell: The foliage feels brittle and dry to the touch, starting at the very ends of the branches. This often happens during hot, dry summer spells.
What to do: Deeply water the root zone once every 7 to 14 days. Ensure the water reaches 6 to 12 inches into the soil to encourage deep root growth.
Salt burn
Possible
How to tell: Tips turn brown after a harsh winter or exposure to road salt runoff. The damage is usually concentrated on the side facing the road or path.
What to do: Flush the soil around the base with plenty of fresh water in early spring to leach out salts. Apply a layer of organic mulch to protect the roots from future salt accumulation.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your western red 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.

When to worry

Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire tree. Interior needle browning in late summer is just natural cedar flagging and is perfectly normal.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the year and avoid using de-icing salts near the root zone.

Western Red Cedar: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your western red 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

Is it normal for my cedar to turn brown in late summer?: Yes, this is called cedar flagging. The tree sheds older interior needles, which turn brown and drop off to make room for new growth.
Can I trim off the brown tips?: You can prune them for aesthetic reasons, but it will not fix the underlying cause. Always use clean, sharp shears to avoid damaging the branches.

Guides to these causes

Dehydration

Why are my Western Red Cedar tips turning brown?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your western red cedar?