protecting arborvitae for winter

5 years ago

I’m in zone 5b, upstate NY. We planted close to 40 green giant arborvitae this spring and summer for privacy on our 1.17 acre suburban lot. Trees range from 4-7 feet. Wondering if I should mulch for winter, or if there is anything else I should do to protect them and give them the best chance of thriving again in the spring.

Thx so much for any suggestions!

Featured Answer

cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

You should always mulch.

Just keep your establishment phase deep watering going until your ground freezes and make certain that water is actually penetrating all the way down to root depth.

Almost any time people have trouble with first year Thuja it goes back to not enough water penetrating the soil deeply enough. If you have to dig down and check a time or two then do it until you know how your soil percolates.

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
the usual problem in z5 or colder .... for new transplants is the freeze drying effect of the prevailing winter winds ...

do you live on the prairie... flat and basically no wind breaks for miles around... read that.. next to thousands of acres farm land ..

or do you have a wind protected micro climate where they are planted???

and of course ... as cear notes ... the winter wind damage is extremely complicated by the plants not being properly watered deep into fall .. you dont just put the hose away in early october.. and hope for the best ...

but all that said.. you dont just go out there watering until thxgvg ... you CHECK moisture at root depth.. and water accordingly ... with cool days.. and downright cold nights.. its rare they need water late in fall ... but you just make sure...

and of course.. it all depends on your native soil.. and how it drains... freezing them into an ice cube in poorly planted clay holes is just as bad.. if not worse ..

in my MI ... winter winds prevail from the NW.... and IF i decided some needed wind protection ... i would favor that side of the plants .... they dont need to be mummified ... in burlap .. just a wind break ...

ken
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Sue Upstate NY, Zone 5b
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you both! Our soil is rocky, well drained. We don’t live on a prairie but a trees, relatively hilly area with an escarpment within view. I never knew I needed to dig down and check the roots, thank you!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
well.. you dont really want to be messing with the roots... just the general soil moisture below the surface... to many peeps just focus on the surface .... and sprinkle that once in a while.. and call it watering ...

in regards to winter protection .... i asked about winter winds.. it is an important variable until established .... do you mean you are in a swale and the wind blows above??

since we are talking winter winds.. i probably should have said tundra.. not prairie. lol ...

ken
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
arborvitae is one plant will not grow here lol. I’ve tried.. a lot .
Sue Upstate NY, Zone 5b
Original Author
5 years ago
Definitely not a tundra. We get wind but not severe. We are in the flatlands of a nearby escarpment and other hilly areas.
Sue Upstate NY, Zone 5b
Original Author
5 years ago
I also have wetlands in my backyard (not where I’m trying to plant trees) if that’s relevant.