I Have 30 15-year-old Leland Cypress Whose Outside Tips Have…
Celina Asked
I have 30 15-year-old Leland cypress whose outside tips have turned brown. The insides also look terrible and have turned a darker color. Am I going to lose these trees? It will cost a fortune to take them down, plus the fact I planted for privacy. What should I do? I really can’t afford to hire a tree surgeon to remove the dead branches from 30 huge trees.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Celina: I cannot say for certain what is going on with your Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii) without seeing them but there is certainly reason to be concerned. It is perfectly normal for the inner foliage to turn brown and drop this time of the year but we do not want to see the outer branches turning brown as well. Unfortunately, once these evergreens start to discolor it is sometimes too late to save them. These fast-growing evergreens are ideal for a privacy screen in your part of the country but unfortunately they are prone to bagworms and various fungal diseases, especially if they are not given ideal condition in which to grow. They should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Root rot can be a problem if the plants are exposed to too much moisture. Your evergreens are obviously well-established plantings and have been happy for many years so it would not make sense that the growing conditions would be the issue. As far as saving them the first step is to find out exactly what is going on. You can take a sample of the foliage to your County Cooperative Extension Service for a positive diagnosis. The horticulture agent will be able to tell you what is going on with your trees or you can have a certified arborist come out and take a look at your trees. The Extension office will be able to give you recommendations for certified arborists in your area. The Gordon County Web site is http://extension.uga.edu/about/county/county.cfm?pk_id=239
or you can contact them at (706) 629-8685.
