Question
We are having a hard time understanding whats going on with our Thuja's.  This past May we planted four and all of them are turning brown.  We hired a service to help and they are telling us that the rootball should have been broken up b/c the rootball is still very intact and has not broken out of the ball.  We were also told that the time we planted was all wrong.  That planting in the Carolinas should only happen in the Fall.  Is any of this true in your opinion.  Does the rootball need to really be broken up? Please help. Thank you.

Answer
The proper way to plant trees is to dig the hole twice the size of the root ball and as deep and fill with good top soil. Mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk to help hold moisture. The top of the root ball should be even with the surface of the ground. The burlap and the wire holding the burlap should be removed before the tree is planted. If the root ball is left wrapped the roots may grow in a circle and not spread out. It is not really necessary to "break" up the root ball just remove the wrapping. In the spring, Evergreens can be planted up to 4 weeks after deciduous trees have opened their leaves, providing that the newly planted trees receive adequate water.

The water is the key in the spring. A tree needs 1 inch of water per week--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. For newly planted trees I recommend watering every third day with this method for the first 6 weeks then every week.