Boxwoods

We have a row of boxwoods along our driveway that receives full sun and after the drought they are brown. Should we dig them up or just cut down until we see live growth. They are only a few feet high.

Anne's response:

With the dry weather and warmer than usual fall temperatures I do not think it is wise to do major pruning. If the plant is still alive it will try to put on new growth that may be harmed by freezing weather. I suggest you scratch the bark on a few stems on the plants to see if there is still a green cambium layer just beneath the bark. If you see any signs of green I would wait to see what re-growth occurs in the spring and then prune the plants. If there is no sign of growth in the spring remove the plants.