Thuja Green giant in South Louisiana

I planted 30 of them in 2009. Despite watering, I lost 5 or 6 the first summer. I replaced them. The next summer I lost another 5 or so, some of which were the 2nd year trees, so now I have weird size mismatches. 3rd year was more of the same. I ended up removing every other tree where I couldn't give the ones that made it more room. Next year, more died despite continued watering. I sold that house a few years later, and as of 2023 I think the only 2 left alive died in the drought from what I could tell passing by.

I will say that they were in a clay soil, but I used gypsum to break up the mix. I think Louisiana is just too damn hot for them, particularly with ANY drought stress at all. Beautiful trees, but I would not plant them again.

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I planted 30 of them in 2009. Despite watering, I lost 5 or 6 the first summer. I replaced them. The next summer I lost another 5 or so, some of which were the 2nd year trees, so now I have weird size mismatches. 3rd year was more of the same. I ended up removing every other tree where I couldn't give the ones that made it more room. Next year, more died despite continued watering. I sold that house a few years later, and as of 2023 I think the only 2 left alive died in the drought from what I could tell passing by.

I will say that they were in a clay soil, but I used gypsum to break up the mix. I think Louisiana is just too damn hot for them, particularly with ANY drought stress at all. Beautiful trees, but I would not plant them again.

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I think you are right, I planted a row of 20 year before last on some land I bought. Sold the land about a year ago and I don't think any survived. I planted 5 on my new property and one died during the drought some of the others have browning but are still alive. I guess next summer will be the test.

I did plant some Carolina Saphire Cypresses as well and they seem to be more suited to our temperatures and are very drought tolerate. I also planted some Nellie Stevens hollies on another side of the property.

I have the same question. Love the look and was thinking about planting some along my backyard. Can they withstand BR climate?