help with leyland cypress

[pow]

I need some ideas on what could be happening to some leylands. The bottom part of the trees are dying with a couple branches that are dead going to the top of the tree. These trees are about 6' tall for the most part. They are in well drained soil, with partly shady location. My guess is twig and needle blight. I don't know if something else could cause this problem so I thought I'd let get some other ideas.


thanks

[RRS]

I'd say it's almost definetely some type of fungus. With all the rain we had this year then the warm fall it's rampant around here. Were they pruned before the cold weather set in.

Did you happen to notice any cankers? The only reason I ask is because usually a fungus will start killing foliage near the base of the tree like you said, but the cankers will cause sporadic dead foliage all over the tree like in this picture.

The best thing to do would be take a cutting down to the nearest extension office and have it sent off, or over to A&L in Midlothian.

[pow]

RRS
No, I didn't notice any cankers. Mostly dead or dying branches at bottom with the exception of a couple trees but nothing sporadic. I've e-mailed Richard Nunnally hoping he can help with this or atleast he'll know someone I can send a sample to as well.
Who is A&L? I've never heard of them. Is it on Whitepine Rd?

[RRS]

A&L Eastern Ag Labs. Yeah, they're on Whitepine Rd. They do soil, plant, air, and water tests. I've used them a few times for soil samples when Lesco or Landscape Supply were backed up. The extension offices usually take too long becuase they have to go all the way to Blacksburg for the test.

I've heard of Mr. Nunnally, but I don't do much work in Chesterfield so I've never been to the extension office. I took the Master Gardener Course at Hanover last winter so I've always called Colleen Calderwood from Hanover whenever I've had questions.

[Seascape]

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/no.../note133a.html