Question
I have a 50 ft high 16-20"DBH red cedar tree that appears to be dying.  The foliage is very sparse and yellowish.  I built a house about 100 feet above this tree.  Also there was a pine thicket around the tree that was cleared.  How can I find out what the problem is?  Is there anyone in West Central Alabama that can diagnose and treat the tree.  I hate to lose it.  The birds love it.

Answer
Sounds like a disease called Annosus Root Rot. This is a root disease that cedar is highly susceptible to. The spores from the fungi land on freshly cut stumps and enter the roots and if a living trees roots are connected to the dead stump (root graft) the disease can enter the living tree. You may find a fungus conk growing from the tree trunk just under the leaf layer around the tree. The fungi will slowly rot the roots causing the tree to yellow and die. I would call the Alabama Forestry Commission local office and ask one of their Foresters to come out and take a look. I retired from the AFC five years ago so they might still remember me. You can tell them I sent you. And if they want to call me about this they can get in touch with me.
There is not really a real control after this disease has entered the tyree. You could try fertilizing it with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. Apply the fertilize just before a rain storm and you will not have to water it in.