Calling Baz.

[stomachmonkey]

I have a row of Italian Cyprus that I love.

Started them from 5 ft pots and they are getting close to 20 ft now.

We have fire blight running rampant and so far I've not been affected.

I'm keeping them watered properly, fertilized, and using insect control products which I believe is helping them stay healthy enough to resist.

I'm literally the only one in my neighborhood unaffected.

While cutting the grass today I noticed some dead branches on the back of one and on closer inspection noticed sap weeping from what looks like boreholes

So the question, what bores into cypruss and what is recommended to kill whatever it imay be?

Nuclear option does not scare me.

[Baz]

Hey Scott....sorry to hear of this situation with your prized Italian Cypress.

It's an interesting tree from an architectural viewpoint as long as they stay healthy....but boy howdy when they have problems...it screws everything up!

I don't really use them because of this - too much risk for the "reward".

If indeed you have borers you need an insecticide that is systemic...meaning it will be taken up by the plant into it's vascular system where it can be better assimilated by your pest.

This is a systemic insecticide product I have used that might be worth a look:
Zylam Liquid Insecticide

I use it for Asiactic Scale on Sagos and it works pretty good. You can apply it by spraying it on the foliage or drench the root ball area with it...check instructions for more detail. It's a concentrate so check rates too. This quart will go pretty far when diluted.

From what I understand Italian Cypress can also be prone to fungus so you may want to take a look at that as well. The problem is they are native to the arid regions of Europe and when grown in the humidity we have in some of our areas, they develop fungal problems. Of course for that you would want to spray a fungicide.

If you have an extension service there, they may be able to offer their input as well.

Hope this helps.....please keep us posted....

[stomachmonkey]

Thanks Baz.

Besides the spray on I also use an insecticide that is taken up by the roots.

Assuming it may not address whatever is hitting them now.

Off to Lowes to grab some of that stuff you recommended.

If I lose them I lose them but I'm not going down without a fight.

[Baz]

You're welcome, of course....not sure if I helped much though.

Also, I doubt you'd find the product (Zylam) I recommended at Lowes.....the place in my link is as good a source as any though - good pricing and fast shipping.

There are other systemic insecticides though - including one that they should have at Lowes (or HD) from Bayer...such as this one:
https://www.bayeradvanced.com/find-a-product/tree-shrub-care/12-month-tree-shrub-insect-control-landscape-formula

Like your attitude though....never give up!

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Baz

You're welcome, of course....not sure if I helped much though.

Also, I doubt you'd find the product (Zylam) I recommended at Lowes.....the place in my link is as good a source as any though - good pricing and fast shipping.

There are other systemic insecticides though - including one that they should have at Lowes (or HD) from Bayer...such as this one:
https://www.bayeradvanced.com/find-a-product/tree-shrub-care/12-month-tree-shrub-insect-control-landscape-formula

Like your attitude though....never give up!

The Bayer stuff is what I use now.

Maybe did not feed enough last time around.

I'll give it another feeding and see what else they have at Lowes.

When I got these guys a few years back they were a ridiculous deal at Costco of all places.

Paid like $250 for 6 of them when my local nurseries were getting around $100 per.

If I lose one it'll cost me nearly double what I paid for all 6 to get one as tall as they are now.

Thanks

[Baz]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

The Bayer stuff is what I use now.

Maybe did not feed enough last time around.

I'll give it another feeding and see what else they have at Lowes.

When I got these guys a few years back they were a ridiculous deal at Costco of all places.

Paid like $250 for 6 of them when my local nurseries were getting around $100 per.

If I lose one it'll cost me nearly double what I paid for all 6 to get one as tall as they are now.

Thanks

Anytime you have plants which are matching (whether in pairs or multiple numbers).....when you lose one or more of them...it's a PITA to resolve!

There is one wholesale nursery in my area which carries them....looking at their most recent (July 2017) availability list....they are showing them in 10/15 gal. (8-9' ht.) @ $50/ea. I have seen them at this nursery in other sizes but I think after a few years they have decided to stay at this size as their main offering. I bought some in 3 gal. size from a different nursery a couple years ago and they were under $10. ea. I still have them sitting here because of the statement made earlier about them being too risky to use on a project. I have 6 of them and will probably plant them at my place at some point. They are about 4-5' in height right now.

Interesting plant like I said from an architectural perspective but not practical enough for my taste.

Hope things work out for you....if I think of anything else that could help I'll be sure to let you know.

Good luck!