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The Daily Insight

What is wrong with my arborvitae?

Author

Andrew Ramirez

Published Jun 03, 2026

What is wrong with my arborvitae?

Harsh Weather. Exposure to harsh conditions is one of the more common reasons arborvitae can turn brown, and heat isn’t the only culprit. Intense winds can also be a cause for brown arborvitae. If your tree is suffering from browning during the winter, harsh winds and freezing temperatures may be to blame.

Can arborvitae touch each other?

Garden Design Ideas for Using Arborvitae in the Landscape If you plant them closer together, they make a solid screen sooner. Both of these varieties can be planted every three or four feet and just allow them to grow and touch each other.

How long should I water an arborvitae?

When arborvitae are planted they should be watered daily and the soil kept moist. Think “low and slow” by turning the garden hose on low and watering the root ball very slowly. A few drops per second for 2-4 hours (depending on how quickly the soil drains) per day on the first 10 days will work well.

Which is the best type of arborvitae tree?

American arborvitae cultivars can have a pyramidal, columnar, rounded, or straight skinny shape. Pictures of Thuja ’emerald green’ (‘Smaragd’) – it’s considered as one of the best evergreen trees for privacy. It’s also one of the most beautiful types of columnar trees

Are there any major pest or disease issues with Thuja arborvitae hedges?

No major pest or disease issues. Leaf miner and spider mites, root rot and phytophthora are all possibilities. Every kind of Hedge imaginable, delivered. Want to go big and Instant? Or would you rather start small?

What makes an arborvitae a good instant hedge?

The distinctive narrow conical shape and dense foliage makes for a sturdy and visually appealing hedge. Small starts of arborvitae (Thuja) are staged in a greenhouse ready to be planted in the field to form InstantHedges.

How did the American arborvitae get its name?

American arborvitae is tolerant to different soil types and resilient in urban setting The common name of arborvitae, or “tree of life”, comes from the early settlers in North America who learned from Native Americans that the tree’s foliage, sap, bark and twigs had medicinal properties.

Which is the most popular type of arborvitae?

Arborvitae Types: 7 of the Most Popular Varieties. 1 Emerald Green. Developed in Denmark, the Emerald Green arborvitae, or Emerald Green Thuja, is named (and known) for its striking green foliage — 2 Green Giant. 3 Firechief. 4 American Arborvitae. 5 Dwarf Golden.

Why are the leaves on my emerald green arborvitae turning brown?

Root rot and butt rot both cause foliage of “Emerald Green” arborvitae to turn brown. Caused by several different types of fungus, but having the same result, affected trees die from these diseases. Avoid rot diseases by planting “Emerald Green” arborvitae in well-drained soil and do not overwater.

What makes a firechief arborvitae different from other arborvitaes?

The Firechief arborvitae stands out because of its more compact shape and distinctive color shifts throughout the year. Instead of standing upright in the traditional pyramid form, shrubs are much smaller and globe-shaped. Foliage on the Firechief is bright gold in the spring, deepening to orange in the summer and bright red in the autumn.