Emeralds Are Not Growing - Wrong Variety Thuja - Keep Planting?

What to do when your trees are not growing, about 10% die out a year for each of the past two years? This is the story of 40 Emerald Green Thujas, a variety we actively talk poorly of as much better varieties of Thujas emerged in the last 50 years, including the Green Giant (skinny tall Pyramid shaped) and American Pillar (columnar shaped).

After discussing the objective with the homeowner, the decision was made to replace the 6 die out of 2023. Strong fertilizing and compost application combined with a drip line on a timer should put the trees back on a stronger growth pattern of putting on around 12-18” a year.

The short backside of the U-shaped section off will be filled in with American Pillar Arborvitae which has a similar appearance to the Emeralds, but grow about 4x faster and also deer and disease resistant.

Slow growing Emeralds to section off a part of a front lawn