Arborvitae Planted Close Together Are All Brown On One Side

Question From: B. Green - Arkansas, United States
Q: Hi Nancy, My husband and I planted a row of 7 Emerald Greens in April of 2014. They were about 7 feet tall when planted. We planted them on top of a retaining wall along a fence line. We spaced them 2 feet apart. There is also about 2 feet between them and the fence. Now a year later they have turned brown inside and on the backsides facing the fence. One limb is completely dead. Help! Why is this happening?

A: t could be combination lack of water and lack of sun. They are planted so close together they get no light on their backs. That would be my best guess. Best Nancy