Gardening and Horticulture - Emerald Green Arborvitae dying

I bought 8 Emerald Green Arborvitae about 1 year and half ago. Now 4 of them are turning brown from the bottom up. Two are worse than the others. The other 4 seems to be doing well and growing. I started noticing it last fall.

What could be causing this? I don't see any bugs. Can they be saved?

I asked the nursery and they said it could be due to lack of sun. But I feel they do get a lot of sun. THe other 4 seem to be fine.

I attached pictures showing the dying shrubs.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/mbrunton/Apr272009_3313.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/mbrunton/Apr272009_3312.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/mbrunton/Apr272009_3314.jpg

Is the neighbor's driveway pitched towards them? did his car leak gas or fluids and hose it your way? Overspray with weed killer? Cut sod back, give roots more room for nutrients. Clean out needles on ground, not to smother roots. Be safe, G

It;s not really picthed that way, unless a lot of water was dumped. I really doubt he washed gas that way. he is a good neighbor.

Do you think they will grow back? I was planning on buying 8 more and adding to them. I wanted to make sure it's not going to happen to the new ones.

I will clean the needles up and edge it to remove the grass.

Hi Mbrunton,

With the fact that you've ruled out any spillage of anything from the neighbor, Circosporidium blight comes to mind. :(
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/pathology/pathcirc/pp397.pdf

Newt

If Cercosporidium Blight is the problem, how do I get rid of it? Should I just replace them?

My concern is if I put new bushes next to these will it spread?

The site I gave you mentions what fungicides to use. And yes, it can spread to any newly planted shrubs. My suggestion would be to send a sample in a zip lock baggie to your local extension service for a diagnosis if you can't tell yourself from the pics and description at that site. Thre are other diseases of Arborvitae, but none of them seem to fit what I am seeing. Take a look at these and maybe google any that you aren't sure of.
http://www.ccenassau.org/hort/fact_sheets/e225_arborvitae_probs_oct00.pdf

Freeze damage could also be a possibility, but you said you noticed it starting last fall. Here's more ideas.
http://gardening.yardener.com/ArborvitaeProblems.html

One more question would be do you have a male dog that uses this area as a bathroom?

Newt