Thanks everyone for the feedback. Bboy - interesting point about the growth. Based on what I've read, these tend to grow much faster than they have, and I'd wondered why they hadn't made much progress. *#^%(#(% They looked very healthy, I didn't notice any dead needles on the inner part of the tree this past summer, and we've watered and fertilized as necessary. I did notice that they filled in a lot width-wise, however. Other than the height, I THOUGHT they were doing great. I don't think fence height had as much to do with it as does the amount of snow we've had in comparison to recent years. It's never been an issue until now. We were in the habit of twining only the loose upper brances, but my gosh, I would have had to twine the entire tree top to bottom this year to prevent this with the amount of snow we've had in Wisconsin ---- didn't know to do that....expensive lessen learned...and of course the nursery doesn't explain that when you hand over the credit card. Deer not an issue in the inner city. Single stemmed and multi-leadered - things you never know to ask, and they don't tell. I thought I did all the necessary research before we purchased, but next time I'll spend a little more time - perhaps on this forum! I'm still kicking myself for not getting the Techny.

When I established them I used a soaker hose for a month or two. If I remember correctly they did not appear to be root bound at all. As for fertilizer - they have probably gotten some "over spray" from when I fertilize the lawn but I have not deliberately fertilized them otherwise. I do a late fall fertilizer for the lawn and I'm sure some of that gets to them as well. Should I avoid them when I fertilize?? I have a bunch of others that are outside the reach of my broadcast spreader that have grown similarly - and are growing well. The back sides seem to be the same in terms of browning. The foliage on the back sides get very thick in the late spring/summer so the back sides of all of them have thinner growth. I've never had the lawn sprayed. Is it possible that the sprinklers wetting the leaves are damaging them? -JIm

they seem to be thriving ... i wouldnt mess with them ... that leaning one.. i might dig on the side away from the lean.. a bit further than the ball you planted ... and dig until i could tip it back to plumb ... probably have to under dig a bit ... the idea is .... that you are not disturbing 75% of the new roots ... i can do this in my sand... dont know about your soil.... if it can be done.... and it might be best.. to do that in fall ... not a few weeks before the heat of summer hits.. but i dont know where you are ... or it could have been done a month or two ago ... these plants are very forgiving... hence why they sell a bazillion of them .. and that is part of why you should probably not worry about them ... ken

never use tree spikes again .. waste of money and effort ... where did you put them .. very close to the plant ... imo ... trees .. of which conifers are.. never need fert ... i suspect they were damged before you got them.. rather minor ... and some of what you are seeing.. was caused by winter finishing that job ... how did you plant them.. and how did you care for them during the heat of summer .. into fall ... drip irrigation require long periods of watering.. to get the water deep down to where the roots are ... and then allowing them to near dry before deep watering again ... if you did just a short period of watering.. they may not have been watered properly ... none of the brown is going to revive.. its dead .. start trimming it out back to live growth.. and then decide if you can live with them ... and if they are only going to aggravate you every time you look at them .. get rid of them ... but you ight give them until fall before you make that decision ... hopefully you will be surprised how god they look ... after you remove the brown ... ken https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub