Question
Hi and thanks in advance for your response.  I planted 10 arborvatea trees/shrubs about 7 ft. tall this summer.  I bought them from Home Depot.  They are dying and I'm just sick about it.  I dug one up this weekend.  I figured, well, I'll either find that the ground is soupy (too wet) or dry (didn't have the drip system in the right place or wasn't delivering enough water).  No go.  The ground was moist and just as I thought it should be - not too wet - not too dry.  I have not fertilized them, so maybe that is it.  The green of the shrub/tree is turning dry and yellow/brown...like i'm not giving them enough water.  Can you help?  -Michelle

Answer
Michelle,

When you dug up the plant, were the roots still in the shape of the container they were grown in? This is a common condition known as being "pot bound". If this is the case, in the future you should score the sides of the root ball before planting. This encourages the roots to grow out, instead of in the shape of the pot they were grown in.

If that is not the case, then they may be going into transplant shock. I would recommend using a low nitrogen, granular fertilizer to help kick them back into health. Maintain good watering practices, make sure they are properly mulched and they should pull out nicely.

Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen