Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Look closely at the brown tips for tiny holes.
- Check if the soil has dried out recently.
- Examine the tree for any signs of webbing.
Likely causes
Cypress tip moth
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small holes or tunnels at the very ends of the branches where larvae have burrowed.
What to do: Prune away the affected tips to remove the larvae. Dispose of the clippings in the trash rather than composting them.
Low humidity or heat stress
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy during periods of extreme heat or dry wind.
What to do: Water the tree deeply to keep the root zone cool and moist. Adding a layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture.
Find out what's wrong with your bald 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
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly toward the trunk. Isolated tip damage is usually manageable.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the tree well watered during hot spells to maintain its natural defenses.
Bald cypress: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bald 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
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Will the branch grow back after I prune the brown tip?
- Yes, the tree will typically push out new growth from the node below the cut. It may take a few weeks to see new green shoots.
- Do I need to spray chemicals for tip moths?
- Usually not. Pruning is the most effective and safest way to manage the population on a home landscape tree.
More problems with Bald cypress
Back to the Bald 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.