neighbors killing my Arbor Vitae trees

[lj]

We have a line of about 50 Arbor Vitae trees along our neighbor's stockade fence. Now after 2 years certain trees are dead on the side that faces the fence. Our neighbors are not very nice people and we can't help but think that this is no accident. They are gardeners and would know what to use. Also, their sprinklers shoot through the fence and soak the trees right where the dead portions are. Could the trees be being killed by an excess of water on the branches that never get a chance to dry and stay wet for an excessively long part of the day? Any help here? Thanks LJ

[Maura]

Block the holes in the fence. Put boards up where the gaps are so the water shooting through the neighbor's fence hits your fence.

[starjj]

If they are right up against the fence it could be lack of sunlight and poor air circulation

[WisJim]

The roots of your trees may be feeding from the neighbor's soil, too, and if their garden backs up to the fence, you may be stunting their garden with your trees. I have seen this kind of situation discussed on other groups, but from the point of view of the garden owner whose neighbor has trees that are adverselly affecting their garden.

[NWoods_Hippie]

Typically about 1 out of 10 baby trees planted dies within the first couple of years, just like in the forest.

My Step-Uncle built what he liked to call "The Grudge Hedge" to block the outside light from the neighbors cabin, he used Arbor Vitea, 40 of them, 4 or 5 of them died after about a year. He had them replaced and they are fine now. Unfortuately he didn't get to see them as they look now 8 years later because he died.

Margie

[ldc]

When gardeners want to poison trees, they sometimes use salt. ldc

[Oxankle]

There are pelleted herbicides especially designed to be put on the ground withing the root zone of unwanted trees. If the neighbors put a line of this herbicide down inside their fence any roots that crossed the line would pick it up. Had they done this (or used any of the common herbicides) all the plants in the line would have died.

I gave some of these pellets to a friend whose garden was shaded out by a scrub tree in his neighbors yard. No more tree. I used them to eliminate single trees in fence rows. Still have to pick up falling branches and eventually you have to take down the trunk & whatever is left of the branches.
Ox

[rambler]

Those things are very sensitive plants, you might want to set up a better, longer-living plant behind it & get them growing.

Likely the water is affecting them, pretty clear from your description. Here in Minnesota I see them die on one side even if they are 400 feet off the road, from the salt spray off the highways. Just too sensitive for their own good.

As there is bad feelings between you 2, it's hard to take sides on who is doing what, or who is right & who is wrong. Plants don't know where property lines are, and tend to do things across the line. Watering plants, the water can mist & move across the property line - one can make a fedral case of it, but, in the big world of bad things, might be better to figure out a new path.....

--->Paul

[Dirtslinger]

Take a damaged portion to a knowledgeable horticulturist or good nursery, they should be able to ID the problem- being salt, herbicide, bacteria/fungus from water, etc.

[Rocky Fields]

Hey.

Trees can be killed by excess water to the roots and/or folliage...this promotes disease.

Anything pinelike will often start dying when one side is against a fence or house wall. Alberta Spruce is another example.

I don't think they are intentionally killing them...

RF