It is a type of juniper and likely the browning is caused by too much shade. Junipers are really full sun plants and they will brown out if portions of them do not receive adequate sunlight....like very close to a structure, as this one is. I would also not worry much about any fertilizing. They rarely ever need it.

interior browning of conifers is NORMAL...

though you say full sun.. the side facing the house is not ... and why it is thinning ...

to avoid juniper tip blight and other problems ..... do not have it on spraying lawn irrigation ... the needle should always be dry except for rain...

conifers are trees.. and i NEVER fert such.. ever ... except in pots.. and we arent talking about that .. and what little i see of the grass.. it looks fert'd and the tree ought to have roots under the grass.. if it was properly planted.. especially if it had winding roots .;..

was it sheared this year.. if so.. perhaps a little to much was taken off.. making you see the normal interior ...

water it properly.. and dont try to fix what isnt broken ....

ken

I appreciate the thoughts and advice, and I will heed them. Thank you all for your time!