Expert: Jim Hyland - 4/29/2005

Question
What can I do to make my recently planted emerald green arborvitea grow vigorously. I live in southern Indiana. I planted 3 foot tall trees about 3 feet apart in good sun. I dug generous holes and mixed the backfill with 1/3 peat. The trees have been mulched and watered.
Thanks

Answer
You have done everyhting right in the large dug hole and mulching. I would not do anything else for a couple of years. Then you could fertilize the trees. The fertilizer should be higher in nitrogen, like 10-6-4, for example. One must be careful not to fertilize too early though, as this can result in a flush of young, tender growth which will surely suffer from winter damage, especially in cold regions.