What's killing my Arborvitae
 

Two years ago, I pulled out a pair of cedar trees at the West entrance
of my building because they were not attractive and they caused problems
with Apple Cedar Rust on my nearby fruit trees. I replaced them with
two young four foot Emerald Green Arborvitae. The trees looked healthy
on the outside, but the inside had some dead branches which I was told was
normal for these trees. After the first year, one of the trees died and
was replaced with the same type tree. This year, the second of the original
trees died. The replacement tree still looks ok. I talked to a
arborist who advised me to check for small mites under the branches. I
found none. The tree is watered, when necessary. The soil is black dirt
to about a foot, turning to heavier clay. I am wondering if I am wasting
time and money trying to grow Arborvitae in this spot with half a day
direct sun, or is this nursery selling me bad stuff? I have lots of experience
planting trees, especially fruit trees, so I don't think they
were planted improperly. My Ortho Problem Solver mentions leafminers, or
tip moths, but I have not seen any signs of these yet (they emerge in late
spring). I wonder if putting the leaves under a microscope now would reveal
anything? I am less inclined to think it was leafminers because
the die back occurred rather quickly over the entire tree. Any ideas?

Sherwin Dubren

What's killing my Arborvitae
 

Drainage may be an issue, also the watering. Heavy clay soil under a layer
of looser soil can allow water to puddle up during the wetter months,
creating an unhealthy atmosphere for the roots. Conversely, newly planted
trees need regular, deep irriagtions for at least two years after planting
before watering can be cut back to "established plant" levels.

If the failure was rather sudden, I'd look to cultural issues first before
insect problems or diseases.

pam - gardengal


"Sherwin Dubren" wrote in message
...
Two years ago, I pulled out a pair of cedar trees at the West entrance
of my building because they were not attractive and they caused problems
with Apple Cedar Rust on my nearby fruit trees. I replaced them with
two young four foot Emerald Green Arborvitae. The trees looked healthy
on the outside, but the inside had some dead branches which I was told was
normal for these trees. After the first year, one of the trees died and
was replaced with the same type tree. This year, the second of the
original
trees died. The replacement tree still looks ok. I talked to a
arborist who advised me to check for small mites under the branches. I
found none. The tree is watered, when necessary. The soil is black dirt
to about a foot, turning to heavier clay. I am wondering if I am wasting
time and money trying to grow Arborvitae in this spot with half a day
direct sun, or is this nursery selling me bad stuff? I have lots of
experience
planting trees, especially fruit trees, so I don't think they
were planted improperly. My Ortho Problem Solver mentions leafminers, or
tip moths, but I have not seen any signs of these yet (they emerge in late
spring). I wonder if putting the leaves under a microscope now would
reveal
anything? I am less inclined to think it was leafminers because
the die back occurred rather quickly over the entire tree. Any ideas?

Sherwin Dubren

Arborvitae
 

N ot sure I spelled that correctly at all ;^) Speaking of the tall
(6-8 ft) conical green shrubs, common place. While I know they are
supposed to be lots of sun, I have 3 in a moderate indirect light more
shaded area. Last year when planted they did great all year. After
winter and when they emerged in spring, In have browning leaves and
branches - that seem to begin and mainly occupy the center of the
bushes. I realize more info might be helpful, but wondering if the
brwoning pattern in that particluar variety is an easy indication of
something.
Todd

check for spider mites.

spider mites prefer to live in arborvitae more than any other evergreen
shrub, and unfortunately, since most people choose to put this shrub within
200 feet of their house, the little buggers like to come inside the house
and infect many houseplants.