"Rick Rogan" writes:
They are facing South? Yes.
Are they browning out on the South side of the tree? Mostly just patches,
not really in a specific area.
Have there been any ice storms? Not really that I can remember.
Seen any Bagworms? No.
How far inward are they browning? Like I said, it's in a couple of
patches and maybe goes a few inches inward.

Get right in close and examine the trunk and ground around it. Is there
sawdust on the trunk or on the ground near the trunk? Is there some grey
webbing on the trunk that conceals a hole where you could poke a thin
pencil into the trunk? You'll need to poke around to discover it; it can
be well hidden. If in evidence, that indicates borer. Some species of
shrubs are much more prone to borer attack than others.

I suggest that you get a ladder and pruners and cut off every brown
dead patch within reach. That way, you'll be able to gauge how quickly
more of the tree dies back. Are you experiencing unusually dry weather at
the moment? If so, give them some deep watering.
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)