Leland Cypress Disease

Leyland cypress trees are becoming more prone to disease. These popular, pyramid-shaped trees grow at least 3 feet per year, are used as Christmas trees and keep their green color year-round unless disease attacks.

Canker

Fungus from seiridium canker and botryosphaeria canker infect Leyland cypress trees and kills the tree's branches.

Root Rot

Phytophthora and Annosus root rot tend to damage Leyland cypress at the root when there is poor soil drainage near the tree.

Insects

Leyland cypress trees are susceptible to damage from bugs and insects such as bagworms, bark beetles, spittlebug, cypress weevil and spruce spider mite.

Care

Watering and regular fertilization keeps Leyland cypress trees healthier and helps the trees withstand the stress of attack from diseases and insects.

Pruning

Pruning branches that are broken, diseased and dead will stop fungi from infecting other parts of the tree. Pruning preserves the structure of Leland cypress trees and improves the tree's life span.

References

• Plant Pathology
• Savatree

Resources

• Auburn University