Dwarf conifer going brown

andyste1

Any thoughts on why this conifer is going brown? It's approx 14" wide. It was planted last summer and had looked healthy until about a month ago, when we first noticed some browning. It's gradually been getting worse since then.
It's in a north facing garden, getting the sun for several hours a day at this time of year, but no sun during winter (not heavy shade, but in the shadow of the house). 

Thanks in advance 

K67

Obvious question have you been watering  it ?

andyste1

K67 said:

Obvious question have you been watering  it ?

No, it never seems to need it. The soil here always seems to hold the moisture at just the right level. It's never dry, but not too damp either. 

K67

Been very dry lately and no matter how retentive your soil is new plants benefit from a bit extra.
Do you know what it is because if it's a juniper they like full sun as do most dwarf conifers 

Purplerain

I might be seeing this wrong, but is there a slope leading away from the tree? It could be that although damp in Winter, our recent dry spell with wind is possibly the cause. Any damp is moving down the slope leaving the top too dry. If you water the roots it might help.