Question
Our Italian cypress trees (4) are healthy except on the side of each tree-from bottom to top turning orange/brown. We removed the decorative rocks around them to allow better drge/aeration. What about ph in So FL?

Answer
It could be a couple of things--
The rocks cause the soil under the plant to be compressed and water will not be absorbed well. Mulch around trees help but it is better to use an organic mulch and only 3 inches deep. Also the heat is reflected from the rocks causing the plant to dry out. This maybe why the problem is on one side of the trees.

Check and see if there maybe spider mites present. Take a piece of white paper and put under a branch and shake the branch IF there is a red dust getting on the paper this is spider mites (they are small and the dust will look like it is moving. The spider mite can be controlled by the use of Insecticidal soap or insecticides. I prefer using regular insecticides, I suggest that you go to your local nursery /garden type store and ask for an insecticide for spider mites that works in your area. Here is a web site that gives information on spider mites and their control. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2012.html

The pH varies with the soil type. The runoff from the rocks could change the pH but these trees usually do not require a certain pH to live and will tolerate most soil types. You can buy a pH kit at the local nursery IF you want to know the pH. I would recommend that you fertilize the trees with 10-10-10 at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. water once a week during drought peroids.or