My Italian Cypress is in bad shape. The bottom half of the tree is still alive, but from what I can see the top half isn't. What do I do? Is there anything I can do to save the tree??
Cut the dead off and protect what's left during future winters. Assuming cold damage is all that's going on, that is all you have to do and all you can do. May grow new tops at some point and may not, depending on how big it is.
Before you do any cutting, just for the sake of some extra observation, are there any deformations, bumps or oozing on the trunk between what is apparently healthy and what is not?
There isn't any oozing, bumps, or other deformities with the tree. In the last five days it looks like the tree has shed the dead. It looks like even some of the bottom growth points have died. The tree itself is only about 18 months old/ maybe 2 1/2 ft. tall. I know they can survive here but this last freezing rain followed by a high teen freeze at night was the killer. I have learned my lesson, but would like to do everything in my power to keep him alive.......
You know they can survive there because...? A local hobbyist is keeping one going with special effort? There are multiple larger examples around that have grown for years? Out here on the west coast you see some as far north as Seattle (and presumably Vancouver) but a great many more in California, where you have the Mediterranean climate these are adapted to.
There is a business approx. 3 miles from my house that has 5, 25-30ft. tall specimens. Although it does look like a few more might have been planted that have died through the years, the survivors look great and I have considered tracking down the person that took on the project. I understand that I'm pushing the limits, that's why I'm asking for advice..