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#1
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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 |
#2
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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 |
#3
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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. |
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