[Flyers999]

Does anybody have this tree? I planted it around five years ago and it came up fast and gave me the privacy that I was looking for. I cut the top of it off because I didn't want a tree too high. It didn't seem to like that and didn't grow any taller. It started to get brown branches which I cut off, but it got more brown branches as you can see in the attachment. Massey said that because this tree is not popular to our area, it probably won't last more than seven years.

The place that I bought it from, is now not recommending that it be grown in Central Florida, only zones 5-8. It certainly is a beautiful tree that reminds me of the north.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Flyers999

Does anybody have this tree? I planted it around five years ago and it came up fast and gave me the privacy that I was looking for. I cut the top of it off because I didn't want a tree too high. It didn't seem to like that and didn't grow any taller. It started to get brown branches which I cut off, but it got more brown branches as you can see in the attachment. Massey said that because this tree is not popular to our area, it probably won't last more than seven years.

The place that I bought it from, is now not recommending that it be grown in Central Florida, only zones 5-8. It certainly is a beautiful tree that reminds me of the north.

The Thuja Green Giant is a beautiful evergreen. The first photo are some I planted at our home up north in zone 5A. I tried planting arborvitaes several times but the deer kept eating them so I did some research and the Thuja Greens are deer resistant. In zone 5A it can get to 100 degrees in the summer and well below zero in the winter so they are very hardy and adaptable. A couple winters ago an ice storm with high winds broke off the top of one of them and the tree never recovered, similar to you cutting off the top of yours. I don’t think they respond well to trimming and shaping.

The other photo is of the the podocarpus privacy hedge we planted on both sides of our pool/birdcage at our Villages home (wildlife preserve is behind). In my opinion those are absolutely the best evergreen privacy planting for the Villages area. They grow very fast and thick with very little maintenance and can be trimmed and shaped without harming them.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Flyers999

Does anybody have this tree? I planted it around five years ago and it came up fast and gave me the privacy that I was looking for. I cut the top of it off because I didn't want a tree too high. It didn't seem to like that and didn't grow any taller. It started to get brown branches which I cut off, but it got more brown branches as you can see in the attachment. Massey said that because this tree is not popular to our area, it probably won't last more than seven years.

The place that I bought it from, is now not recommending that it be grown in Central Florida, only zones 5-8. It certainly is a beautiful tree that reminds me of the north.

Too many of us make the same mistake. The plants all look good in the garden center. Before you buy go home and read. Proper climate zone, soil type, moisture etc. Your home has different micro climates, amount of sun, amount of water varies. The line the right plant in the right place always applies. You can nurse the wrong plant along. Cover them to protect from cold nights and then take the wrap off the next day to prevent baking the plant. Will you always remember? Will you always be able to? Perhaps a different choice of plant is wiser?

[Topspinmo]

I suspect the heat or some type of bug 🐞.

[Topspinmo]

IMO what ever you do don’t replace it with holly.

[Ozzello]

Arbovitae has been planted here for years. Your's and many other varieties do fine in this climate.

No, you do not top them, makes them ugly and prone to infestations.
There are dwarf varieties. Plant the one that grows to the size you want.

The brown branches are most likely spider mites and/or thrips. Get with a top of the line ornamental/lawn care that will add systemic pesticides only to the shrubs that need that. I suggest Fertigator, and tell them you want the spider mite treatment on that tree.

Many sprays over the counter will say they kill spider mites, hasn't been the truth since nicotine sulfate went off the shelf.

[Ozzello]

Replace
with Holly, but only native varieties or eagleston.(east palatka is my choice)
NOT Japanese blueberry, they grow huge.
Podocarpus is a great choice as well.
So is sweet viburnum.
A multi trunk chinese fan palm would be the least amount of maintenance while staying in the privacy zone for the longest time.
Bottlebrush tree (NOT the weeping) would also be a great choice in that location.
Carolina silver or arizona blue cypress would work, but follow same directions as the arbovitae.

Old school FL landscaping for you retirees from up north.. Torulosa (Hollywood) juniper would be my 1st choice over everything I have mentioned, as they have more character and a little more resistant to mites. Hard to find now days though.

[Flyers999]

Thanks all for the great advice. Massey treated the tree with something and I cut off the brown branches. It was doing well for a few months, until the summer. It doesn't have any brown but does have some gray. I love the tree and intend to keep it until it becomes an eyesore.