HELP-New Emerald Green Getting Brown (dying)

[smartins]

I live in Cumming-GA (Atlanta Metro Area) and around April 23 2007 I planted 9 Emerad Green Arbivitae stagared about 4 feet apart. They were 6-7 feet tall. The 5 of them that are close to the street started getting brown and now I touch the leaves and feel them very dry. At the first 3 weeks I watered every other day. Now I am watering twice a week.

I am very new on gardening and these are the first trees I planted. Unfortunately I think they are dying. The brown leaves are everywhere.

Is there anything I can do to save them?

Thanks,

Sandro

[backyardgardener]

They are dead.. toss them.


You need to dig a trench and add organic matter to the soil.* Try to remove any cement residue that could change the* normal soil consistance.


Yes, water any new plantings until they show they are established.** Adding mulch is also recommended.


Backyard

[Newt]

Sounds like these were overwatered big time.* Watering shrubs daily unless you live in the desert will definately suffocate and drown them.

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/pla...ees/f1147w.htm
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/shelterbelt/evergreen_e.htm
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohor...26-701.html#L5
http://www.watersaver.org/pdfs/shrub...mendations.pdf
http://www.aboutarborvitae.com/

Newt

[smartins]

Thanks Newt. for your answer for the very useful links.

[Newt]

You are very welcome!* Good luck next time.* :)*

Newt

[backyardgardener]

It's hard to know unless you understand your soil environment.* I've lost plants in the past due lack of drainage.*

You could be watering on a normal cycle, but the water may* never drain.**

Rule of thumb I read.. Dig a hole and fill it up with water.* If it's not gone in two days, you have a problem.** This has happen to me, which was resolved by digging a trench so the water would drain or raising the soil level.

[smartins]

Good point. I will do this test since I still have some space for it. I have used the water meter and after 4 days without watering and the strong Georgia heat it was still saying the soil was wet. So my dranage seems to be bad.

Thanks for your help.

Sandro