Hemlock Tree Is Brown On One Side – Can I Still Stimulate Growth?

Q: I have a large hemlock but over the years other trees and shrubs have encroached on one side of it. I recently removed the trees and now 1/3 of the hemlock has dead branches. Is there any way to stimulate growth on the brown side of the tree? 

A: If the hemlock branches are brown, there’s no way to make them sprout new foliage. You can remove them completely. Consider installing upright evergreen plants in front of the “dead” side of the tree to screen it. Consider ‘Sky Pencil’ holly, ‘Emerald Green’ arborvitae, or ‘Blue Arrow’ (‘Skyrocket’) juniper.