I don't know the problem...

I've had this tree for a decent amount of time. It was doing nice when it first came out of dormancy, a birght green color on the leaves. Just the other day everything turned yellow. I have a few ideas of what it could be.
1. Under watering. I missed a day, but I don't think it would be this bad
2. It's Root bound. I've never re-potted it, but I did get it this winter. I have no idea what the roots are like
3. Disease. It was fine until the land-scapers came and cut the bush next to it. The bush has been diseased (black spot fungus) for the past 6 years but my parents don't care to fix it and it still looks pretty. Well, a bunch of the leaves fell onto my plant and they didn't take the cuttings off, then decided to be nice and water it, pushing the disease into the soil. I don't know if this is possible.... That's why I came and asked for advice.

The tree is a Japanese Cedar.

More likely overwatering. I not sure of the exact species of Japanese cedar, but in New jersey it is probably just waking up from winter and it still doesn't need much water. Based upon the symptoms you descriibe I would think root rot. You could remove from the pot and check the roots. My bet is that they are rotted.

Check out http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/cryptomeria.html

Congratulations on receiving an answer to your question.

man on the mountain wrote:Congratulations on receiving an answer to your question.

?

Thank you Mr. Rhodes. Now I have two trees in desperate need of repotting. *sigh* Guess this weekend will be dedicated to them.

Such nice mannors

Mick

man on the mountain wrote:Congratulations on receiving an answer to your question.

Sarcasm, I suspect, so once again I extol people to have patience when you ask a question here. Not everybody knows the answer to every question about every species (tho a few seem to think they do ). AND not everybody is on line all day every day. So, there can be a gap while you wait for the right person to stumble upon your question.

Unless, of course, you would be happy with just ANY answer -- which could be dangerus.

And, you did get a good answer. Or, at least I'm pretty sure you did. I don't know enough about the species -- which is why I didn't answer.

Hey, I just took it out of it's pot and sure enough, all black. I cut off one inch from the bottom (It's in a 7 or 8 inch deep pot) and still black. I've run water through it and it's just one solid root mass.
I think it still has enough life in it for there to be hope, but I have a question:
Should I plant it in the back yard?
My parents just put in a retaining wall so if I get there premision I could put it there. What do you all think?

Thanks!
~NS

Edit: Also, it has been out of dormacy for three weeks or so. I don't know if that makes any difference.

I have killed a number of these with overwatering.

But, I don't think they are normally decidious so if it had no leaves/needles it was probably already dead.

A plant will sometime put out a dying flush of growth from stored energy.

You can scratch the bark near the base and if you see green there is home, otherwise!