New Leyland Cypress Browning at Base: Planting Stress, Not Spider Mites

Diagnosis

60% of 25 new Leylands show lower branch browning 1 month post-plant. Nursery blamed underwatering + spider mites. More likely: transplant stress + heat.

Fix

• Water deeply: 1 inch every 3rd day (pan test: sprinkler until pan holds 1").
• Or hand-water until soil damp 6–8" down.
• Zero fertilizer for 1 year.

Spider mites cause stippling, not whole-branch browning from the base. Deep watering resolves most new-planting stress.