How long does arborvitae live

Too much shade will lead to sparse growth. To flourish, these trees need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

Emerald Green Arborvitae fare better in dry, cool climates. If the air is too humid, they may be susceptible to a fungal disease. However, once established, Emerald Green Arborvitae are moderately drought-resistant and are cold hardy, able to tolerate snow and ice. These trees are highly adaptable, able to live in a variety of different soil types.

However, their preference is consistently moist, well-drained loamy soils with neutral or alkaline pH levels in the range of For the first few months after you plant your Emerald Green Arborvitae, it will need to be watered twice weekly. Watering the right amount is imperative.

Too little, and the leaves brown or yellow. Too much, and the tree may suffer from root rot. Emerald Green Arborvitae do not require pruning, but trimming the leafy growths of branches in early spring can encourage thicker, denser growth. Some people prune Emerald Green Arborvitae into spiral topiaries. However, you should always remove dead and diseased branches as soon as you spot them.

These trees grow about feet per year until they are established. In very humid conditions, fungal diseases can be a problem. To help prevent this, plant your trees at least 3 to 4 feet apart from one another in order to improve air circulation. Avoid exposed, windy locations, especially in colder climates. Arborvitae plants normally do not need feeding. However, if new growth is very sparse or slow, an application of a balanced fertilizer containing all major nutrients is recommended.

If desired, light pruning in the early spring can help your arborvitae remain neat and foster thicker growth. To do so, trim the leafy parts of the branch, making sure not to cut back to bare wood. Dead or diseased branches should be removed to prevent decay and improve air circulation. In addition, you may prune your tree to maintain the natural shape of the shrub, which is wider at the bottom and tapering inward toward the top. Especially adventurous gardeners can even prune the shape to form spiral topiaries.

Arborvitaes are rarely troubled by insect and disease problems. Bagworms may feed on the foliage of arborvitaes.

Control them by handpicking the egg bags and destroying them before the insects hatch. Spider mites can also do damage to the trees. The plant can sometimes suffer from needle and twig blight caused by fungi, especially if air circulation is poor. To control blight, prune off all affected branches and treat them with a fungicide.

Keep an eye out for stem canker, a fairly serious fungal disease that causes lesions, sores, and sticky oozing resin from the trunk or branches.

Remove the affected branches. If the trunk is affected, the tree may not survive. These slim trees grow at a faster rate of speed when they are young, adding 1 to 2 feet per year.

As the tree matures, the growth rate will slow down to about 6 inches a year until reaching full height. The lifespan of emerald green arborvitae varies, from 25 years up to years. University of California Agriculture, and Natural Resources.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. If you see small pods on the twigs or leaves that look like cocoons, then you may need to address bagworms with spray. Arborvitae can also be susceptible to other common pests and diseases. Molds, mildews, and even sun scorch can affect Arborvitae. Look for brown or dying leaves and even unusual growth or fungus-like material growing on the leaves. Arborvitae should be fertilized one time per year using granular, slow-release fertilizer.

Typically, nitrogen is one of the most important fertilizers to add over the range of the roots, but selecting a general fertilizer with various nutrients is wisest. Fertilize Arborvitae in the spring before new growth begins. Apply the fertilizer as the packaging indicates, usually over the area the roots are expected to expand to 3 feet out from the tree in all directions is a good estimate when trying to decide where to apply the fertilizer.

Fertilizing Arborvitae depends on the tree. Most often, arborvitaes not growing in thick hedges close to one another can thrive without fertilizer.

It is when they grow very closely to other shrubs and trees and compete for nutrients that fertilizing arborvitae is essential. In general, arborvitae have a fast growth rate. And applying fertilizer at the correct time can help ensure the trees or shrubs continue to flourish and grow to the proper size in no time. Winterizing arborvitae trees involves protecting the roots, preventing dehydration, and monitoring in extreme weather. Water the tree on warmer days the temperature should stay above freezing for 24 hours before and after watering.

Monitor to ensure snowfall is not causing the tree to bend or snap. Also, monitor arborvitae if there is the potential for high winter winds that may snap the tree. If the top of the tree breaks off, it can be years before it returns to its pyramid shape. Arborvitae can be especially susceptible to this in the winter, when snow and ice are present, but this applies during all seasons as well.

If the snow is covering the leaves at the base of the plant, that should that part of the plant protected and prevent winter burn. Use Code: ShopSmallBiz. Search Keyword:. Blog Home.