While Digging The Foundation Hole For Our Addition, The Exhaust…
Bobbi Asked
While digging the foundation hole for our addition, the exhaust from the excavator burned our neighbor’s 40+ year-old evergreen hedges that run alongside our driveway. About 30% of the hedge on our side is visibly burnt; about 10% on their side. We are just distraught about the damage, as well as the possibility the hedges will die. At this point, we are hoping they can generate new growth and fill back out. Is there anything I can do to provide some TLC to these poor bushes?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Bobbi: Congratulations on your new addition. Do you know what kind of evergreen shrubs were damaged? Some are more likely to recover than others but I am sorry that in most cases, when evergreens are damaged, they do not recover and put on new growth. It should not spread since the damage is not that of an insect or disease that will work its way throughout the plant, but the parts that are already showing signs of stress will defoliate and make the evergreens look less than aesthetically pleasing. Depending on the size of the shrubs it may be easier just to replace them. If it is just the lower part of the plant you could potentially use a low-growing evergreen as an under planting so your eye is not immediately drawn to the damaged part of the existing shrubs. Sorry I do not have more encouraging words for you, but if you can give me more detailed information on what the actual plants are I could give you more specific details. At this time you can remove the damaged foliage if it has not already fallen. You will want to keep the area under the plants free of plant debris because this is a wonderful environment for insects and disease to live. Plants that are already stressed are more susceptible to insect and disease problems. There is nothing to treat them with to help them recover but eliminating additional stress is important. These are established plants but at this point you want to avoid fertilizing and if Mother Nature does not provide moisture you will want to make sure they get watered in this summer heat. If your neighbor would like the plants replaced you should consider waiting until the addition is complete so you are not replacing them more than once.
