Question
QUESTION: We live on Signal Mountain, just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee.  About 6 years ago, we planted 25 Italian Cypress trees, most of which line our driveway on an approximate 35 degree slope. Our soil base here is predominately clay, so we used an auger to create a 36-inch hole for the trees, and mixed good soil with peat when planting.

Although the climate conditions here are not optimal for these trees, they have survived the early years, and prior to this winter, were healthy and have grown to about 10+ feet tall. We had an inordinately wet and cold winter this year (coldest on record), and the trees now have lots of brown, and are looking stressed and unhealthy.

Can you advise us on what we can do to save these trees, as they really add to our landscape surroundings.

Thanks so much for your help.

ANSWER: You are on the top edge of the range of Italian cypress at least Chattanooga is--signal mountain being a higher elevation maybe just outside the range. This being said the range of a plant is calculated on the days of cold weather and is an average. Trees can grow many years without getting the cold temperatures that would harm them. I suspect that the cold burned the foliage. I would water them one a week for a while to give the roots a better chance to survive. Place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop.  I do not think, the trees will die. They should be putting out some new growth at the ends of the branches and the top. IF so the trees are ok but will lose some of their foliage due to the cold. I would just let the dead needles fall off and not prune back any of the limbs. In a month or so I would shake the trees and try to make the rest of the dead needles fall. The green will fill in as the tree recovers. You may want to also fertilize the trees with an evergreen fertilizer like hollytone by Espoma . Do not use too much--I would use half the rate on the package--no more than a cup per tree scattered around the tree and watered in good.  Apply just before a rain storm and you will do not need to water it in.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your response.  I have been hesitant to apply any water to the trees, since we thought they thrived in a Mediterranean climate with hot weather and arid soil.  Is the reason for the water due to the possible root damage caused by cold weather?

Also, if particular limbs have lost all their foliage, will they regenerate the foliage on the same limbs?  We just want to make sure you are advising to not cut off any limbs, regardless of their condition.

Thanks Again!

Answer
Yes the loss of the foliage put stress on the roots so I would water for 3-4 weeks unless it rains. Limbs that all the needles have turned brown are dead and will not produce any new needles. To make sure these are dead I would wait a month -maybe the first of June and see if the limbs are dead. Then you can cut off the dead ones only. That way you will make sure you do not cut any limbs that are still alive. I hope this clarifies your questions.