Question
Hi,

   I live in York, PA. and have planted 10 Aborvitae trees in my yard along the fence row. This is the second time I have had to plant these trees because the first time I planted them they all died.  When I planted them I dug the holes so the top of the tree root sack was just below the surface, then watered them until the ground was soaked. Then water them in the evenings every other day but not until the ground was soaked just damp, maybe puddled. These trees are beginning to die now also. One tree has turned almost completely brown, several others are wilting and looking terrible almost dry and beginning to turn brown. I replanted these new trees a month and a half ago, this is July 4th, since that time of replanting these tress the above has happened,dying, wilting, turning brown etc. What is the problem, My wife says they are in shock and will come back but they look dead to me? I'm not a person with a green thumb unfortunately but do my best, really don't have the money to hire a nursery to come out and plant them because I am on a disability income. Can I bring these trees / shrubs back to life, can they be saved or must I replant them again. What is the problem, what am I doing wrong. Please advise

Regards,
Michael Scusselle
717-846-2781  

Answer
If they were planted a month ago it was on the eadge of the normal planting season and they are more thn likely in shock. Also if the ground is "puddled" with water around the trees than it maybe too much water. I would mulch the area around the trees and water only about 1 inch of water each week (place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler  on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop). Once a week is with normal rain fall--if you go 4-5 days without rain go ahead and water.