Question From: S. Manke - OHIO
Q: Thanks Nancy, I understand that by the time the arborvitae shows signs of distress and is dying it's probably too late? It's kind of wierd though, we have some planted on a hill where the leftover subsoil was pushed over from when we had a septic tank installed and even the weeds and grass don't grow there very good, but the arborvitae that are planted there are still alive, but over farther where the soil was never disturbed we are experiencing the loss - where they have a better chance of getting water. The water just runs down the hill where the subsoil was pushed and I would have thought that if any of them would have died from lack of water it would have been the ones on the hill.... Do you think it could be anything else? I did see some mature arborvitae somewhere else and I saw how they had some yellowing from the interior also. So maybe it will be ok. Do you think it would harm them to dust them with sevin dust? We put the granules around them but am thinking that maybe we should dust them also in case there is some critter eating them or causing them to die... Do they usually have good pest resistance? Your help is much appreciated and I am very greatful for your response.... Thanks so much... Stacey
A:
Never use a pesticide unless you see a pest. Anybody spraying herbicides around your patch? Yellowing in the interior is not unusual in fall. If the tips yellow you got problems. Spider mites were a problem this summer, but they're toast by now. Mulch them this fall and if it does not rain be sure to water them in November. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.
Q: Hi Nancy, We have Aborivitae (Techny?-sp, I believe) planted in full sun along our property line in North Central Ohio facing a tar and chipped road. They stand on the top of an incline that goes down to the road about 15 feet away and were correctly spaced 2 rows, not touching yet but hope to be in the next few years with some forsynthia beside them. They get a fair amount of wind from time to time when weather is threatening but have done beautifully in the past. They average about 8-10 feet tall. These were were 2or 3 yr old transplants we purchased from the County Soil&Water program, planted approx 4 yrs ago and have grown considerably. This yr we are noticing that 1 seriously died rather quickly, with others now looking yellowish brown inside the foilage (from the inside out). The outer foilage is still green but we can see the yellowing starting as you look into the trees .... We would like to know the prevention to use if it isn't too late, pesticides or fungicides that you might think we need, or is this a symptom of a watering problem or lack of? It was fairly dry this year but not like other years and they survived that. Hmmmm.... any thoughts would be greatly appreciated as we love the beauty & privacy we still hope they can provide. Thanks! Stacey If you would like I can try to get you a picture also....
A:
The issue is water - in a year when heat and drought have reached record levels, lack of water is killing trees and shrubs at a record level. No amount of chemicals will make up for H2o. Water them. They need a good soaking going into the winter. Best Nancy
