Question by Steve J.
have a number of lemon scent Cupressus Macrocarpa, which are about 3 years old and approximately 2.5 meters high. They have all developing lots of dead leaves from the bottom and going up. I live in South East Queensland. Can you advise what can be done to help fix the problem please?
Sarah's answer
Hi Steve,
This is such a lovely tree, however it prefers the soil to remain consistently moist and is susceptible to root rot if the ground is too wet. This can result in leaves dying back. Alternatively, if it is not receiving enough water, evergreen trees will shed lower leaves to protect the rest of the tree. It can also get brown leaves from a magnesium deficiency, so it is recommended to feed these trees with a balanced slow release fertiliser during the growing season. However it is also at risk from a number of pests and diseases, so if you don’t suspect watering or feeding is the problem then take a photo to your local garden centre or arborist to see if there is a known problem in your area and they should be able to offer a solution. I hope your tree recovers.
Cheers Sarah
