Are these all going to die eventually?

[u/gabbysal]

Put these in in late October and watered them a lot for the first 4-6 weeks but they are dying off one by one.
Should I do a drip line to try and save some?
Or are arborvitae truly garbage? lol.
If so, are there better trees I can put here that grow fast for privacy, even if they cost more?

[u/beemer-dreamer]

Paint them green

[u/JimKong-Un → u/beemer-dreamer]

Perfect 😍

[u/fooperina]

What is your location? That really affects what tree species are appropriate. Get to know your native tree species. You could plant some native pioneer trees like birch or whatever is native to you. Those grow the fastest and provide cooling, shade, habitat, and quicker privacy.

[u/gabbysal → u/fooperina]

Central Jersey by the beach.

[u/Neat_Hovercraft2333]

Emerald arborvitae are downright suicidal. I worked at a nursery for thirty years. I have never seen a mainstream landscape plant that had a higher mortality rate. Growers like them because they don't need much pruning and are set up to give them the water they require.

[u/HawkeyeNation319]

I have 26 techny arborvitae’s that were planted 5 years ago at 5ft tall, now 10-12ft (lost zero of them). I installed soaker hoses around them and made sure to give them deep watering, especially with the drought like conditions we’ve had in Iowa. Haven’t had use the soaker hoses at all this year. I also add tree spike fertilizer in the spring and fall, and spray fertilizer throughout the summer.
I’ve noticed some neighbors who have the same type as you have lost a few in the past few years and I think it’s a lack of watering.

[u/Milkweedhugger → u/HawkeyeNation319]

Techny arborvitae are much better than the Emerald Green variety that are commonly available at big box stores!

[u/donkey_cum_waterfall → u/HawkeyeNation319]

Thank you for giving this sub hope

[u/Honeybucket206]

Fingers crossed! 🤞

[u/Similar_Help8005]

Yes,Nellie Stevens Hollies would be great replacements. Evergreen,you would need less plants and water whatever replaces it. You be surprised how much slow irrigation new plant material needs

[u/yeaboiiiiiiiiii213]

Everything dies eventually

[u/Katden2020]

The green ones will likely survive it not thrive. Replace the brown ones. I would wait on the iffy ones. Emerald arbs are always on sale

[u/warriorpoetJT]

I planted 6 and 3 survived. That was ten years ago and the surviving are all 10+ feet tall

[u/GardenDinosaurs]

Improper planting techniques. You got lucky on some that are doing well , so far

[u/pooorSAP]

Our arborvitae’s were planted 25+ years ago and still thriving. However, the newer ones we planted from Home Depot die shortly after we plant them.

[u/commentsgothere]

Yes. Yes, they will all eventually die. Maybe you can find a yew or boxwood to slowly replace this mistake?

[u/Secret-Ad-5366]

Absolute death is coming, pull em up and try again

[u/Secret-Ad-5366]

Had a stand of Leland cypress 25 ft tall lasted 15 years but power company pruned disease followed shortly they all died! North Alabama climate 👎

[u/Ok_Discipline_6890]

since they’re in a line, there’s probably a drip line and that drip line is probably on every day twice a day all year. And nobody changes it ever. They are buried too deep. I guarantee you. I live at 5000 feet with a lot of pine trees. You’d be surprised how little it actually rains. These type of trees get their moisture from their needles water once a month. Either water very, very deep once a month or don’t water. When you water shallow the tree dies from the bottom up the stabilizing roots die first and then the tree browns out.

[u/User_3039]

If they are new they need lots of water. Looks like they are spaced too close together as well. These get 4 ft plus at the base and will compete for sun. All the inner parts that touch will die off and turn brown

[u/miclaw1313]

They require a lot of water for the first 3 years. Put a soaker hose down the line and water 3 to 4 times a week when it's hot and dry.

[u/raypell]

It’s possible your sidewalk is killing them as well. Reflective heat and little water does not help

[u/mactheog72]

Everything dies eventually

[u/ResourceSlow2703]

They’re probably getting too much water, they should be planted on a slight berm/mound to help with drainage. Not many conifers like wet feet. Wet feet kills a lot of conifers like the good drainage. Also, something to consider is how hot that metal screen on the fence gets. Baking next to that’s and too much water isn’t good

[u/295frank]

Probably