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Italian Cypress Trees Dying

calfireshubincalfireshubin Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hello,
My name is Derek and I’m new to this forum. 
I have a row of Italian Cypress trees that I’ve been struggling with for close to a year now. 
Upon looking at them earlier today, I noticed these little white specks. 
There’s no spider webs and no signs of spider mites but, as I moved the shrubs to look in the middle, a white “powder” substance filled the air and I noticed the white specks on the trees. 
Does anybody have any idea what these are and what I can do to save my trees?
Thank you. 

Posts

  • calfireshubincalfireshubin Posts: 2

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    In the UK, where most of us are based, there are re mites and aphids that attack conifers. Their attack leads to "leaf" discoloration and eventual death. A spray with systemic insecticide works for me, but my affected trees have been quite small.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • CH1973CH1973 Posts: 73
    Looks like wooly aphid. Might he wrong. Google it. 
  • CH1973CH1973 Posts: 73
    Try and get closer with another photo. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    These trees can be sensitive to how much water there is at the roots.
    Both too much water and too little can cause this problem.
    It takes some months for the damage to show, which is browning from the inside slowly working its way to the outer branches.

    Aphids are another possibility-
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/cypress-aphid

    If the clouds of white powder appeared during Spring, it's likely to be pollen.
    One of mine produces so much it looks like smoke when the wind blows.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What sort of climate do you have in your area @calfireshubin? 
    They can suffer if planted very close together [which I'm guessing might be the case] as they need decent, clean airflow around them. Damp, humid air isn't ideal for example. 
    In poor, or unsuitable, climactic conditions, they can struggle, and that leaves them more vulnerable to pests and diseases - aphids are a common pest.
    Overly wet ground is also bad news as they need sun and good drainage to thrive. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    From my studio window, when I first saw it I thought it was a bonfire.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I am not aware of any Italian Cypress growing locally, the climate is not right.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Indeed @GardenerSuze. I'm also wondering what size the trees are that @calfireshubin has, how closely they're planted, and whether he's not UK based. The timing of the post is possibly a clue there. 
    The fact that he's been struggling for a year with them might also be an indicator - these sorts of trees are often purchased as quite mature specimens and that's always more difficult for establishment. 
    Hopefully he can come back with some extra info which will help with further advice ,and fingers crossed they'll recover well .  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited April 2023
    In Surrey, there are quite a few. Though I haven't checked on them after the recent winter.

     My 4m Italian Cypress (ex Italy, in a large black plastic pot) survived quite well until I planted it out.  It promptly kept bllowing over and had to be euthanised.
        
    Only a few years ago, the climate was not deemed right for olives.   My standard olive in a pot has been lightly touched, but not scorched like a nearby bay under fleece.


     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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