Cypress Decline in North Carolina: Need for Local Expert Diagnosis

David in Cary, NC has several cypresses turning brown and dying. He provided a photo link (inaccessible). The expert (in Minnesota) is unfamiliar with cypress issues in the Southeast.

Recommended Steps

1. Contact your county Extension office (Wake County). They offer free/low-cost plant diagnostics and know local pests/diseases (e.g., Seiridium canker, Phytophthora root rot, cypress weevil).
2. Hire a certified arborist for on-site evaluation. First visit often free; they can diagnose and treat.
3. Provide details: Species, age, planting history, irrigation, soil, recent weather, symptom progression.

Common Cypress Issues in NC

• Seiridium canker (dieback, resinous lesions)
• Phytophthora root rot (wet soils)
• Bagworms, spider mites, cypress weevil
• Drought stress, improper planting depth

Local expertise is essential. Don't delay—early intervention saves trees.