Re: Thuja occidentalis (Smaragd) Cedar I need help regarding Thuja occidentalis smaragd I planted 18 of them last July and they appeared to be OK a little brown inside on the odd one. I soil appears to be well drained and no clay near them at any depth they are in a concrete foundation that has soil for at least 6 ft down. I watered them as suggested but come winter I covered them with burlap for the winter. They are in a fenced in area and the yard is protected from strong winds. Here's what happen this spring. I took the burlap off to find that the trees are mostly brown and the south side appeared the worst, there were three trees that had no burlap on and they took the worst in damage. I though of Sun damage but I have one tree that is shaded most of the day and it is in poor shape, very little green on it. I did not want to give up on them so I trimmed them a bit. There is new growth on the main stems but it appears to be very slow growth, I don't know if I am wasting my time with them. I am monitoring them but have no idea if they will come back. NOTE all the trees have some very nice green on them but very little vs the brown areas. There appears to be life but a lot of damage most of the leaves fell off on the touch. Is there any hope on seen a green tree again? Can I cut them back (top them like I would an every green to promote growth?) Need to know what to do.
Browning of arborvitae hedges appears to be a widespread source of concern. Was your winter too cold for this planting? Will it be too cold for it in future? Otherwise, maybe it is having something like a fungus problem. Topping (and heading back in general) reduces overall size increase by reducing total plant mass. Foliage makes food which is stored in stems, used to produce more growth later.
The winter was not to cold and we had a good snow cover. I am monitoring them everyday and there is new growth on the main stems but some of the new growth appears to be turning brown on some of the trees. They look like hell, 13 out of 18 have more than 75% brown and damaged leaves. When I purchased these trees, they were in pots and the soil looked like a clay type with no black soil present but the soil I put them in is very black and appears to be good top soil. Do you think the roots may not have adjusted to the soil difference and is causing the leaf problems because it can support the leaf structure. Questions: 1.) I am planning to dig up one tree to check on the root growth, should the roots have had enough time to expand into the other local soil since I planted the in July of last year? 2.) Most of the trees that are badly damaged have about 10% to 15% of nice green leaves near the bottom and top north side of the tree. With little growth starting to show on the main stems about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long is there a chance these plants may make a comeback? 3.) I left the dead leaves at the base of the trees to cover the soil and keep the moisture in. Is there any problems associated by leaving the leaves? 4.) On average how long do these trees take to establish itself in the new soils? 5.) What is the maximum cut back or hedging suggested for these types of trees? thanks I appreciate your assistance
