We had a nursery plant 15 arborvitae trees in May 2003. We mulched them and then watered them about once a month or less or more depending on rainfall. A number of the branches turned a rusty color. Eventually 6 of the trees died. The nursery replaced them this past spring and the same thing has happened.

I live in Salem Oregon. Last year I bought 6 Emerald Green arborvitae and planted them each in 5 gallon black plastic nursery pots. I used good soil and compost. They are lined up along the edge of my patio, facing west. The patio has an overhang, and there is a large tree to the south that is near the patio. The arborvitae get sun all day once the sun is overhead. This year, they look healthy, with new growth on the tips. Problem: the tops are flopping over to one side, toward the west. Why is this? Should I turn the pots around to get the tops to go straight? Is it because I have them in pots? (I can't put them in the ground- I live in a condo and we can't plant trees or shrubs).

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