Good morning I have sone problem with my weeping cypress tree
– the tree is around 25 years old
– approx 25 feet height.
– planter in front yard next to driveway ( no salt damage )
– full Sun
– on the bottom of the tree is planted with euonymus
– it has not been well for more than 5 years…most needles are yellowish & tree look weak. The tree bark has some part turned yellow
-So I add fertilizer, egg shell & water frequently. But doesn’t help.
– my neighbor suggested it may be cankers
– please see pictures attached
Appreciate if you could help to identify the disease & advise treatment
Thanks !
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners,
The photos did not attach to your email so I cannot verify the tree damage or make a diagnosis. That being said, from your description, it may be Cypress Canker (Seiridium), Phytophthora root, Crown disease, and/or needle blight. Those all affect weeping cypress trees. I am attaching several links within this answer that should help you out by comparing the pictures to the exact situation in your garden.
Cypress Canker – also referred to as a Seiridium canker. This is a fungus that attacks the bark of the tree, leaving its leaves yellow and killing the plant slowly. You can easily detect this fungus by checking cracks in the bark where the fungus attacked it. To revive your tree from Seiridium canker, get rid of infected branches by cutting them out. Unless this Canker has already attacked most of your tree or the whole tree, then you will have to remove it and dispose of it appropriately. This disease is dangerous and can spread to other nearby trees. The West Virginia University Website has photos of the damage that you may compare with you weeping cypress. It also provides details of the disease and how to manage the canker. Seiridium Canker
The symptoms you described may also be attributed to Phytophthora root and crown rot, the University of West Virginia newsletter article describes Phytophthora root and crown rot in detail. Phytophthora root and crown rot management
I do not believe it is needle blight as you mention that it affects the bark of the weeping cypress, needle blight affects the trees needles. Needle damage is also caused by winter burn and desiccation as per the West Virginia University Website Winter Burn and Dessication
Hope this information helps with your on-site diagnosis and gives you guidance on how to proceed. As this is a large tree, I would also recommend you seek the advice of a certified arborist for a definitive diagnosis as well as removal, should that be necessary.
Update:
Thanks for forwarding a photo of the tree. I believe your tree is a weeping Nootka cypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’). You mentioned the tree has been sick/stressed for 5 years and seems to be getting worse.
Based on your photo, it seems that Cypress Canker may be the culprit. I agree with the initial response that an arborist should be consulted in order to determine what’s affecting your lovely tree. You can find a certified arborist in your area through Landscape Ontario.