Question
Thanks again for your help.  I tried to find your column on longisland.com/horticulture expert but was unable.  Can you give me a link to the site?  Can you recommend a tree spraying company in the Nassau county area?
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That's great to hear.  Thanks for your speedy reply.  Can you give me some advice regarding how, what and when (early, mid or late spring) to fertilize the trees?
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I have a row of Arborvitae about 60' across the back of my yard. There are about 12 separate trees right up against each other and each one is about 10' high.  Just after the Summer of 2005 I noticed all the foliage turning brown.  The foliage on the entire trees turned brown and started looking sparse.  This might have been due to an extended dry period that Summer. In the last 6 to 8 months I have noticed the tops of the trees beginning to sprout new green growth and now about the top 2' of the trees looks healthy green but the bottom 8' still has a lot of brown with very little new green growth. My question is will the bottom 8' of the trees ever go back to green new growth or is the bottom part of the trees dead?  Is there anything I can do about this?  The trees have been there since I moved in about 15 years ago so I do not know the exact age of them.  They had been trimmed several times over the years but not since about 5 years ago was the last time they were trimmed.  All I do now is make sure they get watered in the summer.  I live in Long Island, NY.
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Patrick,

The fact that the arbs are trying to recover is a very good sign. I think with a little extra care, ie. fertilizations in the spring and fall, as well as foliar sprays to control mites and bagworm, that the plants will eventually make a full recovery.

I would recommend contacting a tree spraying service to take care of these treatments.

Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen
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Patrick,

I would recommend fertilizing the plants in mid to late March and again in mid to late September. Use a balanced organic fertilizer and spread compost under them in the late spring/ early summer. This will help to reintroduce beneficial microbes into the soil for better health and growth.

Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen

Answer
Patrick,

You can use this link to my article: http://experts.longisland.com/horticulture. I am currently writing a new one on the dangers of the cooler temperatures after the spring like weather that occured.


As far as tree companies, if you are in north eastern Nassau I would recommend Wonderland Tree Service- 516-922-5348. In north western Nassau, Bartlett tree experts 516-334-0648, In southern Nassau, Harder tree and landscape 516-481-8800 or Olsen Bros. tree surgery 516-541-5656.

Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen