Boxwood branch death - Ask Extension
Big areas of some of my boxwoods are turning yellow and dying
I'm not seeing the black triangular spots on the stem suggesting blight
I'm seei...
Knowledgebase
Boxwood branch death #874273
Asked June 23, 2024, 11:38 AM EDT
Big areas of some of my boxwoods are turning yellow and dying
I'm not seeing the black triangular spots on the stem suggesting blight
I'm seeing speckles on the undersides of the leaves
I don't know if it's due to insects or fungus so I don't know what to spray them with
Perhaps you can tell me?
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Gardener,
Thank you for contacting us about the dieback on your boxwoods. Boxwoods are affected by varied environmental factors as well as a number of pests and diseases. They may suffer due to cold winter injury and salt damage, fungal diseases, pests, incorrect soil, poor drainage, poor nutrition, or periods of drought. Any one of these issues alone or in combination can be detrimental. The damage looks similar to that of boxwood dieback disease, although this has not been reported to be a problem in our area.
It is difficult to diagnose this problem from photos. I suggest you take a sample of the affected twigs to the Marion County Extension office for closer inspection. The Garden Help Desk is usually open from 9 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday.
1320 Capitol St NE #110, Salem, OR 97301
Garden Help Desk: 503.373.3770
You may want to prune back the brown sections to where you've got healthy green plant tissue. They grow slowly, but boxwoods usually renew themselves well.
I hope this information is helpful.
Thank you for contacting us about the dieback on your boxwoods. Boxwoods are affected by varied environmental factors as well as a number of pests and diseases. They may suffer due to cold winter injury and salt damage, fungal diseases, pests, incorrect soil, poor drainage, poor nutrition, or periods of drought. Any one of these issues alone or in combination can be detrimental. The damage looks similar to that of boxwood dieback disease, although this has not been reported to be a problem in our area.
It is difficult to diagnose this problem from photos. I suggest you take a sample of the affected twigs to the Marion County Extension office for closer inspection. The Garden Help Desk is usually open from 9 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday.
1320 Capitol St NE #110, Salem, OR 97301
Garden Help Desk: 503.373.3770
You may want to prune back the brown sections to where you've got healthy green plant tissue. They grow slowly, but boxwoods usually renew themselves well.
I hope this information is helpful.
