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Emerald Green Arborvitaes Browning

12 years ago

We planted these seven footers last spring. They looked pretty good until the fall when they started browning, and through the winter they've become dreadful looking. I'm hoping it's just stress from planting and the first winter, but I'm worried you'll tell me they are dead. The trees are at the rear of our property which slopes toward them - should receive plenty of water. When I purchased them, the root ball was mostly clay, which I thought a bit odd. I know some interior browning is normal, but this seems excessive. Let me know if you need and more info and thanks for any insight.

-Mike

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
very large transplants.. very large problems...

i hope you have a warranty that can be exercised IMMEDIATELY .. they look dead to me ... except for that one green one ....

if potted.. i would also guess they were root bound.. and could have used some root pruning ... but we can address that when you get replacements ...

ken
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coniferjoy
12 years ago
You just cought the perpretator on camara!
It tried to run away, but luckely you were a bit faster!
This kind of dog can pee very high.
These pics are good evidence when you will sue the dog in court...
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wow that is a small pic it sure looks like cones from the placement ... at least you didnt call them pine cones.... they are arb cones ... the number of cones.. varies year to year.. from none.. to bazillions [technical term there] .... many factors involved on such ... good luck ken
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The two in the middle are toast. One thing that is a concern about emerald green, 'Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd', is they tend to be multi leader. Not good for heavy snow loads or ice storms. I would wrap them with stretch tape this Winter to prevent damage. Best time to buy these is when they hit the nursery area the first of Spring. If around for Fall sale most have been compromised in one way or another. One selection that works very well for groupings or screen is Thuja occidentalis 'Hetz Wintergreen'. This cultivar tends to grow with a strong central leader without special training. A must especially in areas that experience heavy snow load problems. Excellent for year round screening hedge and wind break. A much better selection then what you have going for you. As Dax says "Keep them watered once a week until it gets cold and again once a week all next year." Dave
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emerald green arborvitaes browning.....
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Even though interior browning is normal on established trees, it's often a signal that new trees are short of water. The reason is that the roots are still confined within the original rootball. Thus, the rootball dries much more rapidly that does the surrounding soil. One key to success is where the soaker is placed. Right now, it should be ON TOP of the rootball. If the soaker is farther out than that, the water WON'T go sideways into the rootball. So go out and stick a finger into each & every original rootball. What's the status of each one -- dry, moist, or wet? My bet is that many are dry.
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botann
12 years ago
It looks as if you didn't water them enough last summer.
With a clay rootball, that's very important. A soaker hose would have prevented the problem. IMO, it's your fault, not the vendor's.
Mike
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ksgeewiz
12 years ago
Ha Ha Edwin that was a good one. Thats one long leg liftin dog. Mike arborvitaes will shed some in the fall depending on the amount of stress from digging or from the amount of water in summer, could be to much or to little. Arborvitae are pretty easy plants to grow even large size. As Ken once put in an earlier post "you can pretty much bareroot them." This is most definitely a water issue could have possible been over watered if there was alot of clay. Either way over or under watered the end results are the same. Don't be to hasty to blame the nursery maybe call and discuss it with them (especially if you don't have a guarantee) they may have had some issues too and if they did they should replace them. Kary
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
its way beyond a CURRENT water issue ... but it was a PRIOR water issue ...

those will crispify in august ...

as carole king once said:

And it's too late baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can't hide
And I just can't fake it

now.. all that is my version of reality ...

should you not have a warranty ... and wish to try the other suggests.. and get some exercise.. GO FOR IT!!!!! .. you have nothing to lose ...

i just dont want you worrying about it all for the next 6 months ... gardening and worrying should not be in the same equation ... in my world.. warped as it is.. those things would be an irritant every single time i walked out the back door .. and peak my blood pressure... i simply could not cope with it every single time i walked out the door ...

i wish you all the luck in the world...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: very important link ..
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Jon 6a SE MA
12 years ago
Ken, re-very important link. Her toe is radically deformed. Can it be straightened with a splint or is pruning recommended?
0

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