Browning Conifers

Hi -
We have a number of Cupressus macrocarpa goldcrest along with some cupressus arizonica fastigiata that are nearly all browning from the bottom upwards. The worst affected are those that are
most sheltered from the wind. Our soil is not very good being primarily chalk. They have been in our garden for nearly 2 years and survived last years drought and hosepipe ban successfully but now appear to be dying from the bottom up. Can anyone suggest the possible cause and maybe some solutions that we might try?

Many Thanks

 

Hi mum4t. Is there a cat in the area? if there is it could be that it is " spraying " that is marking it`s territory. This causes the lower foliage of the tree to die. David.