Question
The tree with problem
One of the evergreen trees (arborvitae or pine) along my back yard fence changed color from green to brown within several weeks during the previous summer (August). However, It still had a glimpse of green in some place until the winter(rain) season came to California (bay area) last month. I originally thought that the problem was caused by dry weather and therefore, watered the tree and provided it tree fertilizers. The situation got worse and worse even during the winter (rain) season and right now, the whole tree is brown/red and have no sign of life, which made me realize that the dry weather shouldn't be the reason, there must be some other culprit(s). Would you please advice? Sounds that I need to take some action to avoid the problem spread to the other trees at least.
I am not quite sure about the name of the tree. Looks like kind of arborvitae. The previous owner of the house planed them. So, I attached picture of them for your reference.
AnswerLooks like maybe Italian cypress. The drought did not cause this --drought damage would have shown up on all the tree not one in the middle. Looks like some sort of root disease. I can not tell from the picture and some digging around the tree would help ID the problem. I would recommend that the dead tree be removed. The problem does not seem to have spread to other trees. I would suggest that you call the Calif. Forestry State Agency and ask if they could send a Forester to take a look. I would not fertilize the trees since most conifers do not need fertilizer and too much could cause a problem. Also the University of Calif Forestry Extension should be able to help. Here is their contact page web link. http://groups.ucanr.org/Forest/Contacts_UC_Forestry_/
