Q.Need To Water Big Old Italian Cypress. Nearest Opening In Surrounding Pavement Is 15 – 20 Feet Away. Is That Too Far Away From Roo
ts? Italian cypress tree has only a small hole in pavement. Don’t want to water too close, to avoid root rot. Is 15 to 20 feet from trunk too far from the roots to water it?Tree is maybe 50 feet tall, maybe 50 to 100 years old. Hot SoCal climate, like mediterranean.

Certified GKH Gardening Expert
While the Italian cypress roots don't normally spread far laterally, in your tree's case they may have spread searching for water. I would water deeply the 20 foot distance and hope the tree's roots will be able to absorb it.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/italian-cypress/growing-italian-cypress-trees.htm