Question
Two of the six cypress trees in the back yard of my newly purchased home are turning gray.  I looked at them closely and they have webbing around each of the leaves.  Can you tell me what the problem is and what I can do to save the trees?  Thanks.  (This is the second submission by me on this same question as I inadvertently entered an incorrect e-mail address the first time I submitted.  Sorry for the confusion and thanks again.)

Answer
There can be two reasons for the webbing.  There are insects called webworms that are large spider looking webs at the tips of branches on trees.  There will be several to many branch tips affected.  The mother moth lays her eggs in the webbing.  The eggs hatch and 100's of tiny larvae (worms) will begin to feed on the branch tips.  These will be real noticeable up close, especially as the worms get larger.  Some will reach up to 3/4 to 1 inch in length.  

The other possible caue is another insect called a cedar bagworm.  The larvae will build a cocoon right at the tips of individual leaves.  You may be looking at very early stages of this process.  Eventually there will be a white to cream colored football-shaped cocoon hanging from the branch that will be 1.5 to 2 inches in length.  Inside will be the developing moth.  These insects cause no harm to the tree and if you have them one year, they will probably be there every year.

There is an inseticide made by Fertilome called Tent Catepillar, Bagworm, and Webworm insecticide that works really well.  It contains an organically derived insecticide called Spinosad that is really safe and effective.  You can try this if you can spray the entire tree.  Neither insect will kill the tree.

By the way---you will receive 3 duplicate questions responses.  I have to respond to each and every question or they will send me email saying I have questions that I have not answered.  No Problem.

If none of this seem to be the problem please respond back and we can go in a different direction.  Good Luck.