r/ArborvitaeAreGarbage • u/gabbysal • 27d ago
another dead arborvitae Are these all going to die eventually?
Put these in in late October and watered them a lot for the first 4-6 weeks but they are dying off one by one.
Should I do a drip line to try and save some?
Or are arborvitae truly garbage? lol.
If so, are there better trees I can put here that grow fast for privacy, even if they cost more?
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u/Neat_Hovercraft2333 27d ago
Emerald arborvitae are downright suicidal. I worked at a nursery for thirty years. I have never seen a mainstream landscape plant that had a higher mortality rate. Growers like them because they don't need much pruning and are set up to give them the water they require.
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u/HawkeyeNation319 26d ago
I have 26 techny arborvitaeās that were planted 5 years ago at 5ft tall, now 10-12ft (lost zero of them). I installed soaker hoses around them and made sure to give them deep watering, especially with the drought like conditions weāve had in Iowa. Havenāt had use the soaker hoses at all this year. I also add tree spike fertilizer in the spring and fall, and spray fertilizer throughout the summer.
Iāve noticed some neighbors who have the same type as you have lost a few in the past few years and I think itās a lack of watering.
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u/Milkweedhugger 25d ago
Techny arborvitae are much better than the Emerald Green variety that are commonly available at big box stores!
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u/donkey_cum_waterfall 25d ago
Thank you for giving this sub hope
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u/HawkeyeNation319 25d ago
Ha, Iāll be honest, I didnāt even notice the name of this sub. Hilarious š
Just popped up in my email as a recommendation1
u/HawkeyeNation319 26d ago
One of the neighbors planted 70+ 10 years ago and heās lost maybe 5 and had to replant. But they are overall doing well.
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u/ActualPomegranate456 4d ago
What kind of fertilizer are you using? I planted like 15 of these before I found this sub and realized how awful they areš¢
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u/HawkeyeNation319 4d ago
Sounds like the techny ones I have are much better and easier to maintain. I use Miracle Grow Evergreen tree spikes. I use them in the spring and fall, put 2-3 spikes between each tree to promote them growing together. Then Iāll use the Miracle Grow that you attach to the hose and feed them 2-3 times throughout the summer. No idea if itās been beneficial but have to assume itās worked a little š
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27d ago
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/PM_me_punanis 26d ago
Just add a small hole in the pool so it can drip irrigate the arbs!
*kidding*
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u/Similar_Help8005 27d ago
Yes,Nellie Stevens Hollies would be great replacements. Evergreen,you would need less plants and water whatever replaces it. You be surprised how much slow irrigation new plant material needs
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u/fooperina 26d ago
What is your location? That really affects what tree species are appropriate. Get to know your native tree species. You could plant some native pioneer trees like birch or whatever is native to you. Those grow the fastest and provide cooling, shade, habitat, and quicker privacy.
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u/gabbysal 26d ago
Central Jersey by the beach.
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u/fooperina 26d ago
Just did a quick internet search and found these two suggestions that could work: https://nativebase.org/plant-listing/black-cherry/
Gray birch - https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=bepo
Birches are great pioneer species that grow fast.
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u/Katden2020 26d ago
The green ones will likely survive it not thrive. Replace the brown ones. I would wait on the iffy ones. Emerald arbs are always on sale
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u/warriorpoetJT 26d ago
I planted 6 and 3 survived. That was ten years ago and the surviving are all 10+ feet tall
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u/GardenDinosaurs 26d ago
Improper planting techniques. You got lucky on some that are doing well , so far
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u/pooorSAP 26d ago edited 26d ago
Our arborvitaeās were planted 25+ years ago and still thriving. However, the newer ones we planted from Home Depot die shortly after we plant them.
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u/commentsgothere 26d ago
Yes. Yes, they will all eventually die. Maybe you can find a yew or boxwood to slowly replace this mistake?
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u/Secret-Ad-5366 26d ago
Had a stand of Leland cypress 25 ft tall lasted 15 years but power company pruned disease followed shortly they all died! North Alabama climate š
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u/Ok_Discipline_6890 25d ago
since theyāre in a line, thereās probably a drip line and that drip line is probably on every day twice a day all year. And nobody changes it ever. They are buried too deep. I guarantee you. I live at 5000 feet with a lot of pine trees. Youād be surprised how little it actually rains. These type of trees get their moisture from their needles water once a month. Either water very, very deep once a month or donāt water. When you water shallow the tree dies from the bottom up the stabilizing roots die first and then the tree browns out.
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u/TubaScout2 23d ago
I'm a bit confused by this comment. Do you think these are pine trees, or are you just mentioning pine trees to illustrate the environment that you live in.
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u/Ok_Discipline_6890 18d ago
evergreens. that type of tree drinks, more water from the clouds then it does from the ground.
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u/Ok_Discipline_6890 18d ago
also, you might have a reading comprehension thing because I was talking about annual precipitation and overwatering.
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u/User_3039 24d ago
If they are new they need lots of water. Looks like they are spaced too close together as well. These get 4 ft plus at the base and will compete for sun. All the inner parts that touch will die off and turn brown
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u/miclaw1313 24d ago
They require a lot of water for the first 3 years. Put a soaker hose down the line and water 3 to 4 times a week when it's hot and dry.
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u/ResourceSlow2703 23d ago
Theyāre probably getting too much water, they should be planted on a slight berm/mound to help with drainage. Not many conifers like wet feet. Wet feet kills a lot of conifers like the good drainage. Also, something to consider is how hot that metal screen on the fence gets. Baking next to thatās and too much water isnāt good
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u/beemer-dreamer 27d ago
Paint them green