may be part of the "Thuja" family, because of their shape and size, but their actual species within that family is still a mystery. They used to have blue type berries but have not in quite awhile and are starting to get brown patches. We've been having drought like conditions and extreme temperatures over the past few years, so we're wondering if that might have something to do with it. They're also kind of growing wildly and uncontrollably because we're not sure of just exactly how much trimming we should do to them and what would "safe." These shrubbery or "mini trees" have been here a very long time (presumably since the house was built), so I'd hate to think of getting rid of them. Therefore I have a few questions to shoot to the crowd and experts concerning them:

1) Concerning the considerable amount of brown patches on them -- There is still some green foliage on them, but the patches and how far they've gotten concern me and there are weeds near them. Is there a way we can nurse them back to their original splendor?

2) Their condition, size and trimming and identification -- They're uncontrollably large and we would like to trim them (and we have to the branches that were close to the house, but they have yet to grow back). Do we need an arborist or specialist in this situation? If so, how much would it cost and where would we start looking?

3) Opinions and possible identification guesses are welcome.

Attached is a close up of the foliage from my window. Since i can't upload pictures from the iPad, I will post a url to it instead. The URL is: http://rhapsodyofthoughts.files.wordpress.co... . You can also find a picture of it in my profile.

I hope no one minds the long post. :)

use of chemical products? We've already tried leaving the windows open all day but to no avail...

tv stand) or not airy enough (paint color). I'm also working with a room that has it's space challenges in that though it's 11 x 12, it has two reach in closets, a big pair of windows and a queen size bed...

Whew, anyway... To make a long story short (I know...too late right? ;) ) I'm wondering what you guys have done to help yourselves out of a designing dilemma such as this and if there's any suggestions you might have that I might have overlooked.