Fertilizer Recommendation American Arborvitae

18 years ago

I have inherited a row of American Arborvitae with the purchase of a new house. Last Spring the trees grew amazingly. This spring the new growth on the trees is a tad dull and almost brownish. There are some sections where the foliage has died. I am wondering if they require fertilizer. I have read on the internet that Hollytone may be used. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This spring has been extremely dry compared to last year...perhaps that is not helping them?

Thanks in Advance,

Craig

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Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
18 years ago
i am of the opinion that conifers need ABSOLUTELY NO FERTILIZER EVER ...

if you think something is lacking in the soil... have a professional soil test performed.. and take action according to such ... look up your local Ag agent and call them to find out how and where to get a test done ... maybe $10 bucks ...

all arbs bronze in winter... some take a bit longer to green up ...

tan brown limbs are dead ... and it is not a fert issue ... perhaps snow damage???? deer????

all conifers shed brown interior needles as they grow outward and the interior is shaded out ... those needles should be removed by hand ... shake it all about ...

extra water never hurt a plant in drought ... if applied slowly and deeply .. so that it actually gets to the root zone ....

a picture would sure help ....

good luck

ken
wisconsitom
18 years ago
Ditto Ken on the water. Particularly since you said you are in drought there. Ferilizing now could actually make matters worse.

+oM
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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
18 years ago
First make sure they really need the water. It has been atmospherically dry here. However, the soil is still moist from the snowmelt/rain/flooding of March. I know this because I'm finding dampness under the mulch in the pursuit of wild onion and dandelion roots.

To paraphrase Ken, you need to stick YOUR finger into YOUR soil and see what you find.
schmoo
18 years ago
"if you think something is lacking in the soil... have a professional soil test performed.. and take action according to such"

Ken,

It is clear from your other postings on this subject (fertilizing plants), you dont like the idea of people fertilizing ornamentals in the landscape (yes the soil analysis always comes up...no lab. I have ever seen puts out a report a homowner can read...its hard to read/interpret even for someone who does it for a living...and I have mentioned that before also). While with the description from schmeg, I agree they dont sound like they need anything (sounds normal for a Thuja...at least without seeing pictures)....yours opinions appear narrow and unsound.
Sorry folks, I will start another thread on this..............

Schmoo
Brainco55_gmail_com
15 years ago
A neighbors' horse reached over the fence and ate the back side of 12 evergreen arborvitae plants that were 6-foot tall. the folige is not coming back after two years and they look small in comparison to the other trees that were not eaten. How can I get them to grow faster to catch up with the other plants in the hedge?