Winter Kill of Boxwood

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I was shocked to discover a mostly dead shrub on the southeast corner of the house. I suspect because of the unusually cold winter, it has been the victim of winter kill. There are a few green leaves in the center. I've been debating whether to just leave it alone or have someone cut it back and how far to cut.

holly1.jpgholly2.jpg
 
Last edited:
The photo suggests the outer shell was killed while the protected inner growth survived. A common pattern from wind desiccation and freeze damage. I would trim out the dead material gradually rather than cutting it all the way to the ground immediately.

Scratch-test branches first. Lightly scrape the bark with a fingernail or small knife. Green underneath = alive. Brown/tan and dry = dead. Cut back obviously dead branches to where you find green/live tissue. If entire stems are dead, remove them at the base.

Replacement is often easier and gives a better-looking result sooner. This shrub looks heavily damaged, so recovery could take several years even if it survives.

My Boxwood is Wintergreen Boxwood. It is said to be the hardiest of Boxwood for colder weather. Cold Hardiness -20 to -30 degrees F. But non-hardy in zones 1-3. It is slow growing though.

I bought a couple of Wintergreen Boxwood locally here and one wasn't doing very well. So I ordered a Wintergreen Boxwood off of Amazon. And the one I bought from Amazon is doing much better than the one I still have that was purchased locally.
 
Naturally said:
The photo suggests the outer shell was killed while the protected inner growth survived. A common pattern from wind desiccation and freeze damage. I would trim out the dead material gradually rather than cutting it all the way to the ground immediately.

Scratch-test branches first. Lightly scrape the bark with a fingernail or small knife. Green underneath = alive. Brown/tan and dry = dead. Cut back obviously dead branches to where you find green/live tissue. If entire stems are dead, remove them at the base.

Replacement is often easier and gives a better-looking result sooner. This shrub looks heavily damaged, so recovery could take several years even if it survives.

My Boxwood is Wintergreen Boxwood. It is said to be the hardiest of Boxwood for colder weather. Cold Hardiness -20 to -30 degrees F. But non-hardy in zones 1-3. It is slow growing though.

I bought a couple of Wintergreen Boxwood locally here and one wasn't doing very well. So I ordered a Wintergreen Boxwood off of Amazon. And the one I bought from Amazon is doing much better than the one I still have that was purchased locally.
Click to expand...
Getting the root ball up might be a bit of challenge. Although I do agree, it would be simpler to replace it.
 
The thing about that plant is if it is indeed a Boxwood, it has likely been there for a number of years, judging by the size. My mind questions why recent seasons are any different than past years? Or was it pretty much in this condition last year too?
 
When I lived in Virginia (30 +) years, I had English boxwood I planted along my front sidewalk. It grew like crazy but started to yellow at the end of 30 ys. It had reached the end of its life or gotton a blight. The is boxwood all over VA DE MD and oher southern states that thrive and are huge! They are by far my favorite shrubbery.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top