Chamaecyparis foliage takes a long time to brown, so it's possible/probable the health of the plant was compromised even before you bought it. I have found them reluctant to backbud as well, so if foliage is present only at branch tips, I'd opt for the replacement with another. They don't like to become completely dry, but they don't tolerate wet feet either. Please withhold nitrogen applications until the tree is reasonably established - besides, it's likely the tree was well fertilized at the nursery prior to your acquiring it.

Al

I purchased a Hinoki Cypress CripssII in April and it is totally going brown- even though it's in an ideal spot. I am sooooo upset. Going to take it back to the gsrden shop. I AM wondering if it is true about planting a new plant over a plant that was removed. If so--that is why my beautiful Hinoki is dying.

When I was a little newer to gardening. I lost a beautiful Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'pendula' to what I thought was repeated invasions of red spider mites. The tree declined for several years before succumbing. I wasn't knowledgeable enough at the time to recognize the effect of the encircling root that slowly strangled the tree. The mites were only a symptom of the weakened tree. In good health and with the remedial actions I took, the tree should have been vigorous enough to resist their attack.

Now that my story is out of the way, I'll come to the point of my post. I replanted in the same spot, making sure to slit the rootball vertically to eliminate (or at least greatly reduce) the possibility of an encircling root. That was about 10 years ago, & the tree thrives.

I'm not suggesting that your tree has the same problem, only that in some instances, maybe most, it's fine to replant in the same spot. I would think the exception would be if you identify a soil-borne pathogen as the cause of the plant's demise.

Al