DIY Network

We transported evergreens that had overgrown in my Moms yard in Long Island, NY to PA. We believe the species is the "Emerald green Arborvitae" variety (I am not quit sure since my father planted them back in 1993). They seem to be getting yellow and dry. We have watered them everyday. When we planted them, we threw in some peetmoss and plant food. The soil here is very rocky and its seems more like clay than dirt. The one thing my husband did NOT do was remove the berlap cloth cover over the roots (my cousin told me that the roots would grow right through the material. As soon as we noticed that the color was changing, my husband went to Home Depot and they recommended spraying acid fertilizer...which we have now done. But is that all we can do to save the shrubs? My Father passed away and its like having a piece of him with us here in our new home. He loved those bushes.

First, go to a local nursery, not a Home Depot, and ask for advice. Bring a piece of the needle or branch with you. The burlap should be o.k., but I'm wondering if you're overwatering. Trees can turn yellow from overwatering and look like they are dried out. You want to water every 4 days or so if there is no rain. Every day could drown the roots. Dig down around the hole and feel the soil. If there is moisture, hold off watering. You don't want to fertilize new evergreens (new to you), as they should be using their energy for root formation. Talk to a nursery.

My neighbor had a problem a few years ago with some cypress that they had planted. They fertilized when they planted. It killed some of them completely, and on some it killed only sides or small sections. Come to find out that the fertilizer burned the roots and the trees died because they couldn't take up any water. It's my understanding that some evergreens are quite sensitive to fertilization and the methods used to apply it.

ToolQueen

Hi Anabela,

There are many potential reasons for the state of your Arborvitae, some of which you've already read about from others here.

If you transported them in the open without wrapping the tops to protect from drying winds, they could be suffering from desiccation.

Watering daily, unless you are in a desert with sandy soil and daily temps over 85*F to 90*F, will drown your plants and cause them to yellow. I suspect this is the major problem here.

Newly planted trees should not have any soil amendments so the roots will grow out into the native soil. Peat moss has no nutritional value and can lower the pH of the soil, making it more acid. It is not recommended any longer.

Newly planted trees most likely will never need fertilizer, but if you do feel the need, wait 6 months to one year. Fertilizer burn can occur. Never fertilize a stressed plant unless the lack of nutrients is the cause of the stress.

Make sure the trees are properly mulched and no burlap shows above the soil to wick moisture away. Of course as long as this is an organic burlap and not a synthetic, it's ok to leave it on.

I'd suggest you check to see they were planted at the same depth as before. Then dig down next to the rootball and take a look to see if water is sitting under the roots from so much watering. If so, you may want to remove all the trees and let the water drain away before returning them to the holes. You can place the trees on top of the soil, cover them with a couple of inches of mulch and keep the mulch moist (NOT WET). Here's how to properly plant, water and mulch your trees.
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1298/

Newt