Anyone here have experience with arborvitae?

[Western]

I have the Oriental Arborvitae, I have used a granular 15-15-15 with good results. The trees where 12" when I got them 3 years ago, they are now around 4-5'. I have been fertilizing 3 times a year, Early Spring, mid summer (use less) and Fall. I also keep competing weeds and grass away as much as possible and have hauled water in drought months.

At planting I used about a tablespoon or so and for the 1st year. I have doubled it + each year since and will stop after this year. Have also same good results with the Eastern Red Cedars I planted at the same.

Biggest problem with deer for me is the rubbing the bucks do in the Fall, occasionally they bite off the top of the yearling trees, but the "rubs" are pretty terminal.

 

[Tompet]

A good substitute for the standard arborvitae (like Emerald Green mentioned) that are deer resistant are several varieties of thuja plicata (also cedars) with names like virescens, nigra, green giant, zebrina, etc.
What is good about these varietals are they are single leaders, fast growers, and will tolerate shade and deer don't like them. BTW, the virescens has the narrowest habit of those mentioned and the zebrina has gold highlights on the tips. At a glance they all look very similar to the standard arborvitae's like the Emerald green you see everywhere like at the big box stores.