Mt. Hemlock with Browning Tips?!

[LeatherTree23]

Can’t believe I’m asking for help so soon but here we are. I purchased this tree at auction 2 weeks ago. According to the auction blurb: “collected by Anton Nihuis many yrs ago. Made full and strong by John Eads of Left Coast Bonsai for new owner to style.”
It’s gorgeous. I have done nothing to it except drive it from Federal Way to Bothell, WA and set the container on the ground.
It gets 4-5 hours of direct sun a day. I have watered when the top of the soil is half dry.
And now this!!!

I’ve looked for wooly adelgid but can’t find any of the “wooly” growths.
Please help. I’ve never had a plant just fade like this.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Sunburn would be my guess, happens occasionally with my eastern hemlock if I let it get too much sun. Find out what kind of conditions it was previously in.

 

[LeatherTree23]

Sunburn would be my guess, happens occasionally with my eastern hemlock if I let it get too much sun. Find out what kind of conditions it was previously in.

That would be a huge relief if it’s just sunburn. Found the contact info for Left Coast. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[andrewiles]

That's strangely localized, like it came in contact with a (hot?) surface. Maybe the initial damage preceded you, leading up to the auction.

Either way, the rest of it looks just fine. I wouldn't be too worried right now. I had hemlocks with significant needle burn during our heat wave a few years ago and they've had no trouble since. In our climate they're pretty resilient.

 

[cishepard]

Can we see the whole tree, please? I have a few Anton Nijhuis hemlock yamadori, myself ~•♥•~

 

[LeatherTree23]

Can we see the whole tree, please? I have a few Anton Nijhuis hemlock yamadori, myself ~•♥•~

I’d love to see yours as well! This one is approximately 36” high. Also, emailed John Eads. He was incredibly helpful. I’ve moved the tree out of an afternoon sun spot. Morning sun only.
Chonky garden panther for scale (20lb housecat)

 

[LeatherTree23]

Sorry for posting about what is ultimately a minor issue. I admit that I panicked.

 

[JEads]

Sorry for posting about what is ultimately a minor issue. I admit that I panicked.

John from Left Coast Bonsai here.
No need to be sorry for posting. I hate to hear that you are having issues with the tree.
Now that I see photos I can be fairly confident that it is a combo of water stress and sunburn.
Those branchlets should dry up and fall off in the next few weeks and you should see new buds pop out further back on the branch.
Water it like a maple and keep it out of any harsh afternoon sun.
Feel free to reach out on bnut or by email if you have any further questions or concerns.
Cheers.
John
Left Coast Bonsai

 

[cishepard]

I’d love to see yours as well! This one is approximately 36” high. Also, emailed John Eads. He was incredibly helpful. I’ve moved the tree out of an afternoon sun spot. Morning sun only.
Chonky garden panther for scale (20lb housecat)

Yours is a beauty

Mine are both budget purchases direct from Anton (he lives an hours drive from me), bought at the end of the season after all the really good trees had been sold off, lol. Best I could afford, though, and visiting with Anton is really fun - he is full of stories and advice about collecting trees, as you stroll through the several hundred yamadori potted up or heeled in the ground at his farm : )

 

[LeatherTree23]

Yours is a beauty

Mine are both budget purchases direct from Anton (he lives an hours drive from me), bought at the end of the season after all the really good trees had been sold off, lol. Best I could afford, though, and visiting with Anton is really fun - he is full of stories and advice about collecting trees, as you stroll through the several hundred yamadori potted up or heeled in the ground at his farm : )

View attachment 493849View attachment 493850

I love both of yours. Thus far I haven’t seen another evergreen conifer with the grace and femininity of hemlock. I know I am a very lucky lady to have the care and feeding of my mountain lady. And I envy your meeting with Mr. Anton! How fun and interesting to hear his stories!

 

[River's Edge]

Can’t believe I’m asking for help so soon but here we are. I purchased this tree at auction 2 weeks ago. According to the auction blurb: “collected by Anton Nihuis many yrs ago. Made full and strong by John Eads of Left Coast Bonsai for new owner to style.”
It’s gorgeous. I have done nothing to it except drive it from Federal Way to Bothell, WA and set the container on the ground.
It gets 4-5 hours of direct sun a day. I have watered when the top of the soil is half dry.
And now this!!!
View attachment 493786View attachment 493787View attachment 493788
I’ve looked for wooly adelgid but can’t find any of the “wooly” growths.
Please help. I’ve never had a plant just fade like this.

New growth is tender and it has changed location and likely sun exposure! This is sunburn. Happened to several of my Mt. Hemlocks when we had 31 degrees early this spring near the end of may. Provide a little more shade if possible. Mt. Hemlock are high elevation trees that are normally cooler and damper than lower elevations.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Totally agree.

We observed a Mt Hemlock where I volunteer look just like yours, then it got worse when left in the sun, especially as @River's Edge says in the heat.

As a result we treat our Mt Hemlocks here sorta like an azalea. Here’s one of these today just as a foliage comparison, being as we live close.


best
DSD sends