Arborvitae tend to bronze in winter ... perfectly normal. If they're still this color next May, that may indicate a problem.

BTW: correct cultivar name is 'Linesville' you can learn about it at this link.

Thanks- I should have clarified! They are leaning out during the summer months too. I'm just now getting around to posting this. They do not have their bright green color during the summer either. I'm wondering if they are nutrient deficient since they have gotten worse and worse. Wondering if a soil nutrient drench with a root feeder might help?

I think it would help a lot to know where in the world you're trying to grow these plants. Need to zero in on whether it's a cultural issue rather than natural.

Middle Tennessee. Zone 7a. House faces close to due West and receives relatively full sun. No downspout or gutter problems. Mulch every spring is added. This photo was about 2 years ago. The blue star junipers you see have lost their blue color and are more greenish brown (thinking mites) . Linesville just look sickly and thinning out. Foilage has much browning.

big city name ...

is there landscape fabric under the mulch ...

how do you water .... trees and conifers arent really a drip thing ....

conifers are trees .. and ESTABLISHED trees should not need nutrients ... and your plants look old enough to be established ... but tell how long they have been there.. how they were planted.. etc ...

a soil test would tell you if anything is deficient from your soil ... but frankly.. looking at the rest of the plants.. i doubt nutrients are the problem .... if the soil were that bad.. all your evergreens would be suffering ....

your plants are stressed for some reason.. and fert is not really a response to stress..

what is your soil type ... is there any clay issue ... aka drainage .. or circling roots from improper planting ... ???

and last.. but not least.. the sidewalk looks brand new.. how long has it been there.. did it come after the plants... is it south of the plants.. meaning new reflected hot sun?? .. root injury due to install of cement???

welcome to the forums ..

ken

Yes, there is landscape fabric under the mulch. Inhibiting nutrients?

Water with a hose on each plant weekly during the summer.

I'm guessing a lot of clay as is common in Middle TN. Is there a way to do a soil test myself? I've never done one. What is the best way to remedy clay?

They were planted in 2017 and the sidewalk was put in before any of the plantings so that is not the issue. The regular Thuja Arbors have grown great. It's the smaller Bowling Ball and Junipers that have not.

No drainage problems- gutters are routed via PVC pipe out into the yard.

I occaisionally get moles in my flower beds that have somehow burrowed under my sidewalk which is also adding to this problem- but this lack of color had started long before a few moles ventured in.

landscape fabric could be messing you up. They could also be planted too deep. Both conditions can be implicated in root system failure. Clay is rarely an issue with this species. It's common where they're native and clay soil generally is quite rich in nutrients.

Right , the fabric is messing you up

it restricts air getting to the roots

I have been having trouble with "tight" mulch matting down & restricting air & water entry to some of my plants

get rid of fabric , use a garden rake to chop at the soil to roughen up then lightly mulch

ron

I'll give pulling back the fabric a shot. Thanks!