Question
We planted two Italian cyprus last Spring in Austin, TX.  I noticed that they are turning brown. We water 2X a week and have done so all winter long.  Also, we have cedar mulch in the beds where the cyprus are located.  Could this be holding too much moisture in or could we be overwatering?

Answer
The Italian cypress is drought-tolerant and almost as tough as a cactus, but it can get a fatal disease called cypress canker.

The fungal spores of this disease are carried by the wind. Lesions begin on the tree抯 bark and girdle the branches as they grow. Cankered trees slowly begin to turn yellow or brown and then die.

There is no treatment for this disease; however, pruning off the diseased parts of the tree will prolong its life. When the tip of the tree turns brown, remove well below the damaged area.
The mulch did not have anything to do with the disease in fact mulching is one way to keep the tree from being stressed.