Knowledgebase

Needle blight/cypress #874069

Asked June 21, 2024, 12:35 PM EDT

Is there any treatment for Cypress trees that the needles are dying on?

Coos County Oregon

Expert Response

There is a possibility that this could be cold damage that is just now showing up.      You should try to prune out the damaged areas to help minimize any spread of fungi and to improve air circulation.

There are some fungal diseases that may be present.

Here is some information on cypress canker - https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/cypress-cupressus-spp-canker.  Compare your plants with the symptoms described.  Prune out dead or diseased twigs.

Needle blight normally starts closer to the trunk and works outward.   Prune out dead twigs.   Spraying in the spring & summer with a fungicide may help prevent additional infection but will not cure the current infection.

The only way to identify the potential fungi responsible would be to submit a plant sample for identification to a lab like the Oregon State Plant Clinic.   This is a fee service.  Here is their information - https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic/submit-sample/services-and-fees

There is also the possibility that this damage could be from cypress tip moth.   Here is some information that you could compare with what you are seeing on your plants - https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/juniper-juniperus-cypress-tip-moth
Check out Table 4 - stem & twig borers for treatments https://pnwhandbooks.org/sites/pnwhandbooks/files/insect/horticultural-landscape-ornamental/content/pdf/pdfs/insect24f-9chemicalcontrollandscape.pdf
Bill Hutmacher Replied June 26, 2024, 2:49 PM EDT

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