"Bob" wrote in message
t...
I found a Web site that states that browning from the center out in
arbrovitaes is a normal occurence in the fall and not to worry.


http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/en.../sep89pr3.html

in the 4th paragraph. This is from the state of Virginia, but I've seen
the
same page elsewhere too.

The ones we bought were 5-6 feet tall and the gardener bought them from a
wholesaler somewhere. Not from a box store. The ones we have were planted
a
year ago (fall 2003) by the gardener. I wasn't home, but I assumed he
planted them correctly. I don't know if a year is enough to be considered
"established" or not.

With all the browning that arborvitaes seem to do, they are emotionally
dificult to have. I didn't expect them to be such drama queens. I wish
they'd just sit there nice and green all year like hemlocks, although
true -
hemlocks do get adelgids.

Establishing will typically take two to three growing seasons for a woody
plant. Yes, some interior browing of foliage in fall or winter is common
with arbs (and a number of other conifers, too) but I got the impression
from your post this was rather extensive. Once they thicken up this should
not be very noticeable.

"Drama queens"! First time I've heard them referred to as that :-)

pam - gardengal