I know a lot of people dislike the Leyland Cypress, but I've had two in my yard and just last week I planted two more 15 gallon trees. One of the recently planted trees is starting to turn brown in areas and I'm not sure why. It has been very hot (100+) over the last week and I'm wondering if that is why it is turning brown. I'm hoping that this new tree I purchased isn't already infected with the canker disease that I'm always hearing about on leylands. I've also purchased several Green Arboratae (Thuja) that I haven't put in the ground yet and they are turning brown at the tips as well. I've been watering them nearly everyday since it has been so hot. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Jon First pic is the Leyland, second is the Thuja
Although I have seen significant browning of Leyland and other cypresses in Seattle this season - as though there is a pest (cypress tip moth?) or pathogen on a rampage here - your specimen looks like it simply got dried out - the foliage around the dead patches, which look sun burned, has the glassy and pale appearance of that which has become affected by inadequate moisture availability. Check the soil right around the roots for dryness. The 'Smaragd' arborvitae probably has a blight problem of some sort, I have seen many specimens with similar appearance. Mystery dying out of sections of 'Smaragd' hedges is frequently asked about on web sites. If you have to replace the cypress(es) buy smaller ones, there is no need to start with more than a small start of this very fast growing tree. It is true that small ones may be more vulnerable to drying out, but all sizes need to be mulched and watered frequently during dry spells anyway.
I've also experienced color dulling and dry-looking patches, although my trees are Italian Cypress. My plants are nearly 20 years old and as many feet tall. During the hot arid summers here in Phoenix I water 2x a month with deep soaks and administer a high-power rinse with a spray nozzle to wash away any potential spider mite infestation. In the last few years I've noticed bow drooping and "relaxing" of the branches which has made the appearance of my trees less than spire-like. What could be the issue here? Thank you in advance for any input. Cypressman
