Arborvitae - top growth, no bottom growth

Hi guys,

I have a two year old arborvitae hedge, about 8 feet tall, 70 feet or so... Most are doing great, but there are a few towards the north end of the yard that while they have lush top growth they have no new growth on the sides. :( They look like they're on their way to looking like giant green mushrooms... I've seen other people's arborvitae look like that and I always thought it was a result of really 'interesting' pruning, but obviously it's happening for another reason. Does anyone know what causes it? They get a lot of light, but are not in full sun all day. Could it be they're just not getting enough light in that one section? Or could it be mites? I just did the paper-test on the ones that are not doing as great and there seems to be a few tiny mite-like creatures, so I'm going to spray tomorrow with some Garden Safe to be safe...

Any ideas of what the culprit is?

Thanks
Kur

Do you prune so the bottom of the hedge is wider than the top? Thus exposing it to the most sunshine.

Hi Kur! Deer might be the problem. Hard to say without a picture.

I'll post a picture when I get home...

I thought about it being deer but I don't notice any obvious 'nipped' signs... :)

Willow - I'm wondering if I shouldn't prune the new growth on the top to make sure that it doesn't create a canopy situation whereby the mid-section definitely doesn't end up getting enough sun.....

Here's a pic from afar... Notice the ones on the right are fuller...

Here's one up close and personal...

From far away it looks like deer damage. They only nibble on new growth in the spring. Usually. And you do have a browse line.

Way back somebody posted a thread about deer damage on arborvitae. I can't remember if she came up with a good solution, but I think she tried a bunch of stuff.

Yeah, I'm convinced now it is deer damage, because I took a peek behind them (don't know why I didn't think of that before) and there is no damage at all on the backside, which makes sense because the neighbor's blackberries come up pretty close and there isn't any room for the deers to comfortably browse... :)

And I thought their stomachs were full on the new growth of my don juan and blaze roses across the driveway... I'm going to have to move them next year...

Do you think putting a bale of hay in front of the trees would encourage them to nibble on that instead? Or would they think - Smörgåsbord! ;)

Do you think I should prune the tops to match? :)

An electric wire going through would be the best thing. Bone meal sprinkled regularly will stop them from eating it. They don't like the smell. And they will grow back. I wouldn't prune to match, maybe just trim up the line a little.

Ok, thanks for the help guys! :) I'm relieved it's a deer problem and not mites or a disease...

I think I've hit upon the best solution yet...

Get new plants to create a strategic barrier in front of the hedge... My thinking is if blackberry works on the backside, something will work in the front... Maybe put in some barberry, although not sure if there is enough sun to really make them pop.

I know it probably won't work, but it's worth a shot... Worst that happens is we have mushroom-shaped trees and some new plant babies... ;)

Good idea and good attitude.