Question
Hi:
I am having a problem with 30 leyland cyprus I have planted in Nov, 2006.
They were doing great over the winter, but starting March 4 of them slowly turned brown then died. The rest of them started to turn brownish outwards.
A local landscaping company fertilized all if them in April, and I started to water them by hose every week.
In addition, I have notice some white droppings on the leaves. They have a larva inside, which later develops into some kind of insect.
Please notice that, to date I have not removed the burlap.
I would really appreciate your advice.
Thank you.

Answer
Alex,

I feel that the cypresses went into transplant shock this spring. The fertilization should help them to recover. Keep them well watered throughout this summer and have them fertilized again in the fall.

As for the larva, they do not sound like the larvae of bagworm, which is the only insect that I am aware of that attacks cypresses. I wouldd recommend having an entomologist from the local cooperative extension identify it.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen