were they large transplants??? ... greater than 4 feet???

ball and burlap????

no conifer holds it needles forever ... interior needles are the oldest ... and are shed every year ...

and i see no browning needles on this pic ... so i cant say it wasnt normal older needles loss ...

whats your watering protocol???

why no mulch ... the grass around the tree is greener.. is your water actually getting into the root mass... or running off to the grass???

frankly.. i dont see much wrong in this pic ... perhaps its your expectations which are struggling???

ken

Deodaras can be lanky in youth. Looks fine to me.

Did you remove the burlap when you planted them? The burlap itself or plastic and metal components used to wrap it around the root ball may be interfering with root development.

You could add some acidity to soil if it is alkaline. They thrive in acidic soil.

Original poster hasn't said anything since 2014, may not be reading latter day responses. Presumably by now their trees either sank or swam.