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Thining arborvitae

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From: barbara mewborn City: Toledo, OH
Exterior growth us good (green, firm, etc). Inner branches are brown, dry and fall with little touch. Anything that can be done to restore 5-6 foot uprights to nursery conditions when I purchased then a year ago (inc. watering, soil amnendments, fertilization, etc). Thank you. Barbara
	Extension Message From: Richard Hentschel Extension Educator, Horticulture DuPage/Kane/Kendall Unit hentsche@illinois.edu
Arborvitae will take 2-3 years to fully recover from being transplanted. During that time, watering is critical during hot stressful periods. Light fertilizing using a granular product can also be helpful. Winter protection can be a temporary windbreak to lessen the winter desiccation of needles and conserve moisture in the plant. the loss of interior needles is normal each year, not in the way you are describing. if just the needles are damaged, the twigs and branches can generate new growth points and fill back in.
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