Arborvitaes Are Becoming Thin And Parts Are Dead Or Dying

Question From: Warren, Michigan, United States
Q: We have many arborvitaes planted close together between a narrow two lane cement street and a black topped parking lot. The ones that face the parking lot are becoming very thin so that you can see right through them and about one/fourth of them are dead or dying. They don't seem to be getting much water and have gotten thinner in the last few years. Do you know what the problem could be. They were supposed to be fairly hardy.

A: As you said, they don't get much water. Water is their life's blood. Heat is also an issue and both the cement and blacktop absorb heat so those poor babies are baking on 90 degree days. If you can't get water to them, kiss them goodbye. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy