Question
Iam from Long Island and I just had a landscaper put in a row of green giant aborvitae.Within a week I noticed one was turning brown.By week 2 they all looked like they were dying I took my hand to push away some of the dirt at the top and noticed they did not cut the string  or the burlap so I cut the string and opened up the burlap and put peat moss and top soil on the top of the ball and covered it back up with the mulch. Now its going on 3 weeks and they all seem like they are on there way out .My back yard is very sandy and I dont think they added anything to the hole before they planted them.I have a sprinkler system they are waterd 2 xs a day for 20 minutes plus I do some extra when its very hot.Any idea why this would happen.Thanks

Answer
Most nurseries have a policy of replacing trees that die within the first year. I would go back to the nursery and ask for replacements. The proper way to plant a tree is dig the hole twice the size of the rootball and fill the hole with good top soil and mulch with not more than 3 inches of mulch.

If you bought a tree in a burlap bag, after the tree is set in the hole and some dirt has been added to the hole, cut loose the tie around the base of the trunk. This tie will not decompose fast enough, and if left on the tree will girdle the trunk and can kill the tree. The burlap can be pulled back from the trunk, but does not have to be
removed because it will quickly decompose and will not inhibit root growth. This is only true if it is common burlap---plastic burlap must be removed. If there is wire holding the burlap then remove this wire cage.

A tree needs about 1 inch of water per week. Place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Do this once a week if it does not rain. Too much water can be as bad as too little.