Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level.
- Look for signs of recent heat waves.
- Ensure the plant is not being hit by reflected heat from a wall.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips turn crispy and brown during hot, dry spells. The soil feels dry well below the top inch.
What to do: Water the tree deeply to ensure moisture reaches the root zone. Apply a layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture.
Heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: Brown tips appear during the peak of summer heat. The rest of the plant looks healthy but thirsty.
What to do: Provide temporary shade during the hottest part of the day. Ensure the plant receives consistent water during dry periods.
Find out what's wrong with your sawara cypress
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Brown tips are common after a dry winter or a hot summer. Worry only if the browning moves inward toward the branches.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and use mulch to keep roots cool.
Sawara cypress: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sawara cypress and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not necessary for the health of the plant.
- Does fertilizer cause brown tips?
- Yes, over fertilizing can burn the roots and cause tip burn. Use a balanced fertilizer sparingly.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Sawara cypress
Back to the Sawara cypress guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.