Question
Last spring we planted a row 25 golden biota 6' arborvitae-type evergreens, replacing others which had been there for about 3 years but had lost most of their green growth. However, others in the same row, planted 2 years earlier, are doing fine. We followed planting instructions, using peat, evergreen fertilizer, plenty of water in the planting hole, and regular watering thereafter. Toward the fall, I noticed the growth of all the new plantings turning brownish and falling off. During the winter here in NJ we had a few zero degree days, but we do every year with no harm to our other trees. Now in February, only 8 months after planting, the new trees look just as bad as the ones we pulled out and replaced. I might add it is a bit shadier in the area where the new trees were planted, but does that have this kind of effect? With no leaves on the trees in winter, they were getting plenty of sun. Also, being near an undeveloped wooded area, there are a lot of wild animals (deer, raccoons, etc.) and stray cats. Could it be that animal urine is to blame? Is there a way to bring back the growth once it has fallen off? If not what do you recommend should be planted under the conditions I just described?  

Answer
Ed. this is a tought one, without looking closer at the area. A few things first, it is most likly not animals. if anything, deer may eat the Arbs, but you could tell if that was it. I really dont think its the cold, we have them here in MN, and as you stated, you have others in in that row, that seem to be doing fine. Also, as you stated, you notice that they were turning brown in the fall, before the winter. Did the foliage turn yellow before it turned brown and fell off? I am assuming you are talking about a standard Arborvitae. I have not heard of a "golden Biota", altho there are many different varieties, and we may not get it here in MN. I looked it up, incase there were other issues with this plant in particular, and could find nothing. as long as it is an Arborvitae, then we should be fine, many arbs grow into Canada, so the cold weather should not be a problem. From the sounds of it, it is most likley the amount of light they are getting. if you have some in the sun that do well, and these do not, then it is most likley the amount of sunlight, or lack there of. Some Arborvitaes do OK in a shaded area, so this kind of suprises me, however, this particular variety may have an issue, if you will, with less sun. Other than that, I am not sure what it is, you could check with a local garden center and see if they have an horticulturelist on staff, they may have more insite on that plant, beings from that area.
Other Ideas:
What are you useing the plants for? It sounds like a screen line/hedge. you could try a different Arb that seems to do better in the shade, the Techny Arborvitae seems to be really tough, and does well in many conditions. Here in MN, I have seen many on the north sides of houses, they are a bit more open, and there insides may brown up a bit( the outside is green, so you dont see the brown), but they grow very well. Otherwise, in a more shaded area, its tough to get an evergreen type plant that will grow in the shade, that will work for a screen (I am again assuming that is what it is being used for). The real bummer in all of this, is that I know 25 6' Arbs cost a lot, and not just money, but now you have to go through all that work of digging them out, and putting something else in its place. One thing that I could reccomend is to get a soil test done on the area. You can buy a test kit at a garden center, maybe there is something in the soil that these plants dont like, test the area where plants are growning well, and this area. Also, if the area is low lyeing, or gets and stays wet, it is possible that the plants get to much water. If they were in to much water, you would have notice they were turning yellow first, before they turned brown, I doubt this is the problem. Ultimatly, with 25 plants of this size, I would suggest contacting someone to come out there and take a look at the area, and determine what may be the problem, whather it is the plant cant handle shade, at which time, you will need something else, or if there is another issue with the area. This may cost you some money to do, but it will ultimatly be cheaper than going through the problem again and again. If you want to do the planting yourself, that is fine, you may still be able to get a horticulturist or ldscp designer to come out and look at the area for a fee. you can also check with a tree service, but make sure it is one that does tree trimming and handles disease problems of plants, they will know better how to proceed. I hope this helps a little bit, this is a hard one to determine with out looking at the sight in person. A horticulturist that can look at the area, or a good Landscape designer that can look at the area would be a good choice. Good luck with this area, I hope this helped you a little bit.

Mark