Late last spring (2015) we planted 10 approximately 3 1/2 foot Green Giant Arborvitaes. After about a month or so, they started to brown, more or less from the inside out. We suspected shock but also watered more, and by fall they mostly recovered.

This spring and summer they looked great, very little brown. All of a sudden, beginning end of September they started to brown, again more or less from the inside out. The pace of browning seems to be rapid and increasing, at least to this point. The amount of browning, 1/4 to 1/3 of the tree seems excessive for normal winter thinning, but that's just a guess. All of the trees, spaced about 5 to 6 feet apart, are exhibiting the same behavior.

Does this sound normal, or should we be taking some action? the trees are now about 41/2 feet, and we are located on Long Island, NY. Thank you.

Arbs naturally will lose some portion of interior needles late summer based on annual growth. the annual growth from 2015 and 2016 is likely less than normal, but the needles browning are from previous years annual growth, likely more so it could appear as much 50% loss and still be normal. Water them well just before you remove the hose from the house for the winter.

Thanks very much.

In the interim I've asked some others this question, one of whom came over to look at the trees. They all pretty much said what you did, and that the trees appear healthy. My concern was the extent of the browning, but I guess it's OK.

Thanks again.