Help with Hinoki Cypress

[MTD]

One year ago (May, 2004) a landscaper planted five Hinoki Cypresses in my yard. Four of the five had extensive needle shed on the inner limbs last Fall. Two of them were planted against a newly built wood fence (pressure-treated wood). Those two not only are bare on the inner branches, but the sides of the trees against the wood fence are totally bare in the lower half of the trees and the branches are dry (appearing dead). Was this condition caused by the wood fence (perhaps from the chemicals such as arsenic)? Or, is it possible that they didn't receive enough water? I also have four emerald green arborvitae planted against the same fence, and all four of the arborvitae are healthy from top to bottom and on all sides. Thanks. Matthew in Washington, D.C.

 

[treeseer]

1. Remove mulch and soill from base of trunk to show upper roots.

Post pictures of both base of tree and branches and we'll try to help.

 

[Ekka]

Did that landscaper also plant those other 4 arborvitae at the same time?

I suspect no, and if no ...

It sounds to me, and I'm being speculative, that he may have planted them on top of a pile of fertilizer that he through in the hole.

What is your soil like, you know, clay, sandy etc?

Does the water sit around or soak in?

What sort of soil was in the pots that the trees came with?

How was the hole dug? And how deep and how big?