Question
I have looked up bagworm and the white clumps don't resemble that at all. They are much rounder, outside being chalky or powdery that come off on your fingers. There is no silky inside nor stick, leaves, or twigs involved on the outside. The inside is rather consistent: early on it is a little more firm and looks like a collection of tiny round things, but as it ages, it darkens and becomes spongy and brownish.

I would like to send a picture of the tree and the clumps if that is possible.  

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Followup To

Question -
I have a 4-5 year old cyprus (swamp, not leland)on a 1 acre lot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Last year it developed small white clumps near the tips of a few needle bunches. Some one told me it was a type of gall and to cut them off and clean out debris from below the tree. This summer the tree is (literally) covered in them. Otherwise it doesn't seem to be having any stress problems. Still seems to be growing as usual. I REALLY want to save this tree! Can you please help?

Answer -
Janet,
What you are seeing is not a disease but an insect called Bagworm. The clumps that are visible are the bags that the caterpillar lives in.
You need to spray the tree with an insecticide labeled for bagworm. I would recommend using orthene, sevin or if available, foray BT. These insecticides will control the larval stage of this moth.
Remove the bags frm the tree after spraying to break the insect lifecycle.
Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen

Answer
Janet,
After seeing the photos, I stand corrected. The culprit in this case is a gall forming mite.
To contorl this pest, have the tree sprayed with miticide now and in the spring. Prune out the galls to slow the spread of this insect.
Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen