I planted a bald cypress 4 years ago, and every year, the leaves stay a very light shade of green, and brown and drop very early.

I have heavy clay soil near the white rock lake area.

Any suggestions to correct this problem?

First off make sure that it is not getting over-watered. Secondly make sure it is getting fed a nice organic program. Using the sick tree treatment with a special eye toward plenty of Green Sand would liekly help.

Also- make sure the tree is not planted too deeply. Make sure that the root flare is visible, or else it's too deep.

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Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.

In my recent research on the subject of root girdling, I found that this condition might lead to what you're describing. If either of the Ent's watering and fertilization recommendations don't appear to improve things for the tree then you might want to look at the roots to see if there's a problem.

Here's a doctument that describes what to look for and how to go about fixing the problem.

Cornell U Root Girdling Article

Good luck with your tree and let us know how it goes.

~Dave