Question
Hi, my question is this. Last year I planted 8 Arborvitae trees along the fence line for privacy. They have grown in height very nicely and kept their shape but as the spring has progressed several of the branches on them have turned brown and seem to be spreading. I don't want to lose these trees I love them and need my privacy. In January I staked the jobes evergreen spikes next to them to help them through the winter.  Please help!

Answer
The main problem with spikes is the fertilizer is concentrated into a spike. Roots are spread out so fertilizer should be broadcast over the ground instead of inserted as a compact unit in one or more spots. With fertilizing generally need for fertilizer also varies with the makeup of the soil and seasonal conditions, sampling and testing soil should precede fertilizing. If used in the winter the roots come in contact with the concentrated fertilizer and burn the roots and this will show up as foliage burn. About all you can do now is water the tree good. I would use 1 inch of water every third day for a month then once a week until you get the green back. Place a pan under the trees and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. This will help dissolve the spike or if you can see the  spikes still dig them up.