Help me with my emerald arborvitae

[thatguy]

We put in about 12 emerald arborvitae (sp) 18 mths ago between our lot and the next lot over.. We chose them over other trees because we didnt want them getting so high that they would block our view of the mountains. So far they have been doing great, none have died or started to die until recently.

We do have a big deer population, so I have been straying them with invisible fence and I also staked some dryer sheets out because a deer devastated about 4 forsythia bushes (these are spaced between the trees) with his horns and also got into part at least one arborvitae. I also just got some stuff at lowes that had dried blood in it as a repellant.

After the last rain came thru (4" over a couple days) one of the arborvitae died very quickly. Now several other are showing the same signs by turning brown..

After searching the internet for 'emerald aborvitae diseases' I realize we picked a very finicky tree.. it will die due to too little as well as too much water and seems to be prone to some different diseases.

1) What can i put on them to keep disease at bay, if that is the problem? I was thinking Seven Dust..

2) We are contemplating digging them up for use other places on the land and replacing them with some other evergreen. Anyone have suggestions for full sun, clay soil, and pretty dry summers (although I do water as needed0? Deer resistant would be a plus as well.


thanks
Brian

 

[forgeblast]

What is the max height that you want them to reach. You maby be able to find something that will do the same job and just be easier to maintain.
we just put in sparten juniper skyrockets in one area, they get 2' wide and 12-15' high.
the deer will not eat them and we dont have to trim them.

 

[thatguy]

We prefer it to be around 15' or less.. Ill do some research on the sparten juniper skyrockets..

thanks

brian