Arborvitae questions, new house

10 years ago

We just purchased a new house and I have almost no gardening experiences. I have a few questions about some arborvitae on the side of my house. Since I know that these have been growing for a long time and are pretty well settled I'd rather not go through the hassle of getting rid of them. If you guys think they aren't worth the work that's fine too, I just have no idea how to begin.

I live in western mass, zone 5a or 6 (almost on the border)

Would there be a way to remove the tree growing in the middle without harming the bush? Will the bush grow back?

Different angles

Here is my next issue. There was a tree planted in front of the arborvitaes in the picture. will they grow back and fill out more? Is there anything I can do to help the process? What would you do?

Thank you all for your advice. I'm brand new to the forums and to gardening in general. Now that I'm a owner I've taken a huge interest in tidying up.

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Comments (3)

Laurie (8A)
10 years ago
My experience is not very positive trying to coral these things when they fall apart like this. Hopefully someone here has a magic solution.
wisconsitom
10 years ago
Merril, to address at least one of your questions, yes, the tree growing in the middle can safely be removed and should offer no harm to you or the shrubs going forward. If it's a suckering type-one which throws up lots of sprouts from the base-you may have to daub a little concentrated glyposate (Roundup or its numerous generic equivalents) or garlon (Brush BE Gone, others) to kill it down to the roots. Since I can't make out the species of that tree, I'm nos sure if this will be necessary. But even if it is, this is not a difficult operation.

As for the arbs themselves, I'm not getting a good feel from these photos for how they are doing, healthwise and form-wise. Maybe a more well-lit pic would help to make that out.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
the first two pix are kinda dark to see much ...

last pic ... i dont see the other tree ...

in my experience.. those int he last should go ... yes.. you might start a 10 year rejuvenation project.. and yes it can be done.. but with out short z5 growing season.... its not going to be pretty for a long.. long time ... imo...

just get rid of those ... and plant your own mistakes.. lol ...

most likely ... the tree in the middle of them.. is a junk tree.. thats seed shot out the bottom of a bird ... and usually.. those type of overseeding weed trees.. are not great long term additions ... i would remove it as a competitor to the arbs .. which i cant see much due to dark pic ....

besides.. if its not green in july.. its probably already dead ...

better pix, please ...

ken