Italian Cypress Tree Turning Brown – Causes and Solutions

If you’ve noticed your beloved Italian cypress trees starting to turn an unhealthy shade of brown, don’t despair! This common evergreen ornamental tree is susceptible to several issues that can cause its foliage to brown. But with the right diagnosis and care, you can nurse your Italian cypress trees back to their lush green glory.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the various causes of Italian cypress trees turning brown and provide actionable solutions to restore their vibrant color.

Why Italian Cypress Trees Turn Brown

Italian cypress trees (Cupressus sempervirens), with their tall columnar shape and rich green color are treasured landscape specimens. Their drought-tolerant nature also makes them ideal for low-maintenance gardens. However, they are prone to several environmental, cultural, and pest problems that can cause browning of their needle-like foliage.

Environmental Stresses

Insufficient Water: Italian cypresses need consistently moist (but well-drained) soil. Allowing the soil to dry out too much between waterings can stress the trees and scorch the needles brown.

Overwatering: While they don’t tolerate dry soil, Italian cypresses also dislike soggy, waterlogged soil. Excess moisture deprives roots of oxygen.

Sun Scald: Intense sunlight, especially on the south or west sides, can burn and dry foliage resulting in browning. It’s common in younger trees.

Salt Exposure: Salt accumulation from irrigation water or ocean spray leads to needle burn and browning foliage.

Pollutants: Exposure to chemical drift from vehicles, industry, or weed killers can damage and discolor needles.

Cultural & Mechanical Factors

Transplant Shock: Recently transplanted cypresses are sensitive to disruption of their roots and prone to browning.

Poor Drainage: Waterlogged soil due to poor drainage leads to stressed roots and nutrient deficiencies.

Root Damage: Trenching, digging, or mechanical injury near the root zone disturbs water/nutrient uptake.

Harsh Pruning: Cutting too much foliage at once removes food manufacturing capacity causing decline.

Lawn Care Equipment: Weed whips and mowers can damage surface roots and bark leading to browning.

Diseases & Pests

Spider Mites: These tiny sap-sucking pests feast on cypress needles, causing stippling, discoloration, and dropping.

Fungal Diseases: Commonly cypress canker, twig blight, and tip dieback. Affected areas brown and die.

Bagworms: Caterpillars that create protective sacs on branches while feeding on foliage.

Bark Beetles: Tunneling under the bark interrupts nutrient flow, killing off areas of foliage.

Thrips: Tiny winged insects that pierce and feed on tender new growth, spreading viruses.

Diagnosing the Cause of Browning Italian Cypress Trees

Since many factors can potentially cause Italian cypress trees to brown, it’s important to take the time to accurately diagnose the underlying cause before attempting treatment.

Here are some tips for getting to the root of the issue:

• Carefully inspect the pattern, extent, and distribution of browning. This provides clues to the cause.

• Look for other accompanying symptoms like weeping sap, fungal growth, chewed needles, etc.

• Review recent environmental conditions and changes in cultural care.

• Dig near roots to check for signs of mechanical damage or girdling.

• Test drainage by pouring water into holes dug around the root zone.

• Monitor for presence of pests like spider mites or signs of their activity.

• Send photos and samples to agricultural extension agents for expert diagnosis.

• Search for abnormalities in the roots, trunk and branches.

• Consider getting a professional arborist evaluation for mature trees.

How to Revive an Italian Cypress Tree Turning Brown

Once the cause of the browning is determined, take prompt action to restore health and color:

For drought stress:

• Deep water 1-2 times per week during dry periods.

• Add 2-4 inches of organic mulch to retain soil moisture.

• Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target water to roots.

For overwatering:

• Improve drainage with French drains or grading.

• Limit watering frequency, allow soil to partially dry out between waterings.

For sunscald:

• Provide shade screens on severely affected sides.

• Whitewash trunks and branches with diluted white latex paint.

• Ensure adequate water to withstand reflected sunlight.

For salt damage:

• Leach soil by heavy irrigation beyond the root zone.

• Apply gypsum or sulfur to break down salt deposits.

• Mulch and water just past roots to flush salts downward.

For diseases/pests:

• Remove infected branches, disinfecting tools after each cut.

• Apply horticultural oils or systemic insecticides if mites, thrips, etc. are present.

• Use fungicidal sprays after pruning to protect new growth.

For nutrient deficiencies:

• Test soil pH and enhance drainage.

• Fertilize regularly with complete, balanced fertilizer.

• Foliar feed with chelated iron to quickly address deficiencies.

For transplant shock:

• Stake tree for stability, prune lightly to reduce water demand.

• Water deeply and frequently for the first year.

• Add a layer of organic mulch, keep soil moist but not saturated.

For root damage:

• Prune off affected branches to encourage new growth.

• Avoid digging or trenching near the root zone.

• Let damaged roots recover over time.

Ongoing Care to Prevent Italian Cypress Tree Browning

Prevention is the best cure when cultivating healthy Italian cypress trees. Here are some care tips to keep them thriving:

• Water deeply only when the top few inches of soil are dry.

• Fertilize in early spring and fall with a balanced, complete fertilizer.

• Prune lightly in late winter to shape – never shear into green branches.

• Provide protection from intense afternoon sun and drying winds.

• Monitor monthly for signs of spider mites, scale, and other pests.

• Mulch annually with 2-3 inches of pine straw or bark chips.

• Wash off accumulated salt spray thoroughly every month.

• Perform soil tests every 2-3 years to confirm nutrient levels.

• Inspect trees carefully for disease symptoms and treat early.

• Stake young trees and allow them time to establish roots before pruning heavily.

Professional Help for Browning Italian Cypress Trees

If your Italian cypress trees continue to decline despite your best efforts, don’t delay in seeking professional help. Consulting an experienced arborist can provide benefits like:

• Diagnostic tools to accurately identify issues.

• Knowledge of growth habits and optimal care.

• Access to prescription-only pest and disease treatments.

• Techniques like aerial inspection not available to homeowners.

• Ability to detect internal wood decay and stability issues.

The sooner you get expert assistance, the better the chances of restoring your Italian cypress trees to full health. Make every effort to help them recover before removing trees that have been fixtures in your landscape.

Don’t Give Up on a Browning Italian Cypress Just Yet!

While a browning Italian cypress tree may look rather alarming, the cause is usually quite treatable when caught early. Now that you know what makes these trees turn brown and how to fix it, you can confidently nurse your cypress specimens back to green glory. Just take the time to properly diagnose the issue and tend to the tree with care. With some TLC and prompt troubleshooting, you can get an Italian cypress with browned foliage thriving once again.