juniper dieback brown branch tips - Ask Extension
Many junipers are experiencing branch dieback, both in new and mature plants. I have observed this in road side plantings, in yards away from road...
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juniper dieback brown branch tips #132633
Asked June 07, 2013, 2:10 AM EDT
Many junipers are experiencing branch dieback, both in new and mature plants. I have observed this in road side plantings, in yards away from road salt and in new nursery stock. It seems to be very wide spread in the north Denver metro area. Any ideas as to the cause and help with a control. Pruning makes the plants look better. But it would be nice to know the cause. Thanks for your help with this problem.
Adams County Colorado
Expert Response
I believe I have observed the damage you are referring to. It’s showing up on many of the ground cover junipers (I see it particularly in the Groundcover Sabin Junipers not the more blue green Creeping Junipers) especially in the roadside plantings. I have attached a picture- if this is not what you are seeing let me know. I think the issue is twofold. Part of it is environmental. We had a hot dry summer last year followed by a warm dry winter which put the plants under stress. This was then followed by a wet and cold April and early May which damaged many plants in the area that were less cold hardy and\or coming out of dormancy early. I have also observed some borer damage in Junipers at one site (see attached pictures). This is not a common problem and I think it is likely an extension of the stressful environmental conditions i.e. the plants were predisposed to the insect injury. Pruning out dead branches and caring for the plants during this summer is probably the best option. An established juniper should not need much supplemental water but if we hit a prolonged dry spell a supplemental watering is not a bad idea. Hope this helps if you have any further questions please let me know,
