Expert: Jim Hyland - 9/13/2004

Question
I have 43 Leland Cypress trees that enclose my backyard.  I just purchased this property in May of 2004, and noticed that some of the trees were appearing to be dying and turning brown.  Now it has been several months and they seem to be completely dying.  It seems to be spreading somewhat rapidly and I am not in the know about this at all.  Alot of the trees are turning brown about 4-6 feet ground up, but the rest of the 20-30 feet seem all to be green and thriving.  Should I try using Sevin or Malathion for the possibility of bagworms, or fertilizer for the soil perhaps, or is it basically a lost cause, as I have read a little on the Canker disease these trees get, and not being familiar with any of this, I don't want to get ripped off by a tree person in my are.  I would just like to know a little bit before I call anyone, can you please help.  I do have pictures that I can email to you if that is possible!  Please let me know an address I can send them too.  Thanks in advance for your time and attention.  Charles Webster, Kernersville, North Carolina

Answer
Leland Cypress can have several things wrong and without seeing the signs of damage it would be hard to give a good answer to your problem. The State of NC has an excellent Forestry Service and they employ a staff of Pest Management Foresters who can come to your place and give you advice on this type problem. I do not know where Kernersville is in the State so I can not give you the nearest NC Forestry office but here is a link to their web site with the offices and phone number etc. http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/contacts/contacts_main.htm
I know their Chief of the Pest Management Section his office is in Raleigh. He has several staff members throughout NC. You can either call one of the nearest offices or email Don Rodgers in Raleigh and ask him who to call (probabally the best thing). You can mention my name since he is a freind of mine and I am sure he can help. Don's email is  don.rogers@ncmail.net