Question
I have two 30 ft Italian Cypress Trees next to my pool in SC. I keep finding limbs all over the ground under one of them. It looks like they where cut off cleanly and now there is a bare spot 3/4 up the tree. I thought maybe something was trying to build a nest, but I have not seen any sign of that or an animal. I have some squirrel nest in my oak trees, but I don't think they are big enough do do this kind of damage. Any ideas? Thanks

Answer
I am going to suggest that you call the SC Forestry Commission and ask one of their Foresters to come out and take a look. The SC Forestry Commission also has an excellent pest management Section and you could call them direct but the county has a forestry office and a Forester that I would try first and if he can not determine the cause have him bring the Pest Management Specialist. I would lean toward either a twig gridler (an insect) or animals (possibly the squirrels) but without looking at the damage it would be hard to pin down. here is a web link to the contact page of the SC Forestry Commission or their number should be in the local phone book.
County contacts
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/sc.htm

Pest Management Office
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/scid.htm