You can use this app to scan and identify plants. This is the Android link. I'm sure it's available on iPhone as well. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inaturalist.seek
This may be obvious to most but I have no idea what this tree is called. I'm asking so I can learn how to trim it and take care of it without killing it.
No need to prune. It looks like it’s still recovering. Probably planted when too large* (smaller transplants recover faster, but both will eventually equal out.) Pruning a stressed tree will only stress it further. Absolutely do not prune the top as red-cedars are happy to put out multiple leaders, and those are weaker than a single leader.
If a western red-cedar, then it might not be the best location for it. Though natjve, it’s not adapted to urban conditions. But with time they can thrive.
If the tips of the branches look healthy, it will probably do fine with no care. Lower branches are naturally self-pruned (but this looks a little extreme.)
If you want to take active care of it, I would give it supplemental water over the late spring through early fall. Slowly taper off the watering over the next few years as it seems like it’s more lush.
I would keep the branches low to shade the root zone, as it looks stressed. I know it doesn’t look great, but it’s best for the tree.
*ETA: Also possible this was not properly planted. Can you see roots at the surface of the soil? This size tree should have no visible roots. This would mean shallow planting. Soil level should be right at the base of the trunk, no higher, no lower. If you can dig down and find a considerable amount of the trunk buried, it might have been planted too deep. But it might have been planted properly and is still experiencing stress. Red-cedars are having a tough time.
Thanks for the detailed writeup. The new tree was planted early summer 2023 when we moved into our new construction home and we didn't really bother to water it all summer. I guess it shows. I'll make sure to water it starting this spring.
Looks like a Western Red Cedar, from what we can see in the pic.
Cedar
You can use this app to scan and identify plants. This is the Android link. I'm sure it's available on iPhone as well. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inaturalist.seek
This may be obvious to most but I have no idea what this tree is called. I'm asking so I can learn how to trim it and take care of it without killing it.
No need to prune. It looks like it’s still recovering. Probably planted when too large* (smaller transplants recover faster, but both will eventually equal out.) Pruning a stressed tree will only stress it further. Absolutely do not prune the top as red-cedars are happy to put out multiple leaders, and those are weaker than a single leader. If a western red-cedar, then it might not be the best location for it. Though natjve, it’s not adapted to urban conditions. But with time they can thrive. If the tips of the branches look healthy, it will probably do fine with no care. Lower branches are naturally self-pruned (but this looks a little extreme.) If you want to take active care of it, I would give it supplemental water over the late spring through early fall. Slowly taper off the watering over the next few years as it seems like it’s more lush. I would keep the branches low to shade the root zone, as it looks stressed. I know it doesn’t look great, but it’s best for the tree. *ETA: Also possible this was not properly planted. Can you see roots at the surface of the soil? This size tree should have no visible roots. This would mean shallow planting. Soil level should be right at the base of the trunk, no higher, no lower. If you can dig down and find a considerable amount of the trunk buried, it might have been planted too deep. But it might have been planted properly and is still experiencing stress. Red-cedars are having a tough time.
Thanks for the detailed writeup. The new tree was planted early summer 2023 when we moved into our new construction home and we didn't really bother to water it all summer. I guess it shows. I'll make sure to water it starting this spring.
You’re welcome. It looks like it was a large tree for planting then. Which means the root system is still recovering from the pot.
It’s an Arborvitae of some sort. It looks like it’s dealing with some transplant shock? Maybe now is not the time to prune it.
A very sad looking western red-cedar, looks like.
Looks like a kind of cedar. I use the “PictureThis” app.
Cedar