Cercospora needle blight, caused by the fungus Cercosporidium sequoiae, is a common disease on Cryptomeria. The first symptom is a browning of the needles in the lower tree next to the stem. The disease slowly spreads upward and outward until, in severe cases, only the needles at the tips of the upper branches remain green. We have noticed a few cases of it this year and while it is not widespread, it will eventually kill the tree if left untreated.
Give Caldwell Tree Care a call at 770-992-1973 if you think your Cryptomeria have Cercospora.