Sick Arborvitae

Question: Hello, we bought this arborvitae in March and planet it then. It started turning brown a couple of weeks ago and we watered it, but it has not helped. Is it too late? Thanks.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 27, 2023, 12:21 PM EDT
response: Hi,  Unfortunately this plant does not look like it can be saved. Arborvitae are sensitive to accidental over or under watering so if they didn't get much watering since March with the drought like conditions we have had, it appears like the root system has been compromised. If it was in burlap was it loosed enough before planting? If it was in a container were the roots loosened or still pot-bound? Even if you give it water now it appears to be too far gone to come back. The needles that are already brown will not turn green again.  We would suggest you try again and you can refer to our watering guide webpage to monitor and water regularly to establish the root system. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs Also when replanting you may want to pull the new plant a little more forward to give it some space between the existing schip laurels that are there. At the distance they are in now, as the plants grow they will crowd each other and the they could get bare on the sides, so if one were to die and need to be removed, it would be pretty sparse on on the sides that grow together. Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2023, 11:10 AM EDT
response: Thanks Emily, I guess I waited way too long to water it. I do not remember what I did with the burlap bag. I will plant the next one out more. When do you advise planting another one? Steve  On Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 12:21:09 PM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 28, 2023, 12:44 PM EDT
response: Hi Steve,  If you can keep the new plant watered sufficiently though the heat of the summer, you can plant it now. If you have any summer trips planned that will take you away for a week or more, then typically we suggest waiting until the weather cools off a bit in the fall. For evergreen trees you don't want to wait too late into the fall (Usually November), so that their roots can get established before the any possible cold winter temperatures. Usually around mid to late September is a good time to plant headed into the fall to make sure the trees can adapt.  If you can supplement water about once a week upon planting and through drought like conditions you can plant anytime during the growing season. (Planting in higher heat though can cause more transplant shock and stress on the plants).  You can refer to our webpage on planting trees and shrubs for some more tips as well.  Let us know if you have further questions.  Emily