Is it at Death's Door? Why? How to Help?

Hi, there!
I live in New Jersey and have a Japanese Juniper. I received it in January and it had a fine winter. Over the course of the past three weeks or so, several of the branches have begun to turn brown, and I can't seem to stop it. I don't know why it's turning brown. Too much water? Too little water? Too much sun? Too little sun? I have no idea. I try to water it frequently so that the soil is always kept at a moderately moist level. It sits on my porch and receives morning sunlight and shade in the afternoon.
Can anyone help? Why do Junipers start to turn brown? I'm assuming this means it's dying. And does anyone have some tips on how to help it recover

Thanks so much!

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Jay

Kara, Junipers are not 'up to the minute' in there outward display of how they are doing. Like most conifers, they hide their problems. Think of all the cut Xmas trees you see. They are cut on the farm very often in October and they still look good at the end of December!

You say it had a fine winter....hopefully outside! Junipers are not indoor trees, and, some may keep them indoors but it is extremely difficult. Hopefully this guy does not have glued on rocks on the top of the soil, if it does remove them. As for your watering, it sounds like you are way overwatering. If you have a wooden chop stick or a icecream stick wash it off and place it into the soil halfway from the tree to the pot edge. Let the stick go down into the soil. Everyday remove and check the stick, if its wet do not water ....if its real damp still wait. You want to water when the stick gets 'near' dry.

As for the placement of the juniper, they can be outside in the sun, but this guy may need to be in sun for only part of the day, till he comes around (hopefully). My junipers are outside full time with 8-10 hrs of sun at this time....I live north of you in Orange Co NY.

Hopefully you can save this guy...Good Luck

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