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Boxwood Health #927369

Asked April 02, 2026, 3:33 PM EDT

I have a foundation planting of 3 boxwood that are approximately 10 years old. I noticed defoliation late in the summer of 2024 and wasn't aware of the moth in Michigan. Now they are still alive and I would like to take preventive measures to save them. I don't know if they have the moth or something else. Is there somewhere that I can bring a cutting, or is there someone who can come to look at them?

Ingham County Michigan

Expert Response

Thanks for contacting Ask Extension. Could you send some pictures of your boxwood? You can attach them to your message here by clicking on "Drop files her or choose them." You should include a close up picture and one of the whole plant. Another option is to send some pictures to the email address <personal data hidden> This is the email address for the Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab at Michigan State University. If they can't diagnose your problem from your pictures they may ask you to send in a sample of your boxwood. Here is a link to the lab's website https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/ Since you live in Ingham county you could also take a sample to the lab on Michigan State’s campus, address is MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics,
578 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824. There is a nominal fee for this service. They do not make house calls so these are your only options. This time of year the box tree moth is not active so it might be difficult to identify from pictures taken now.

Here are a couple links to publications about the box tree moth. You may be able to compare your plant to some of the pictures to help you identify if this is your problem.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/boxwood-diagnostic-tool-helps-michigan-homeowners-protect-landscapes

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/whats-wrong-with-my-boxwood-common-issues-and-solutions

https://www.canr.msu.edu/tag/box-tree-moth

Thank you for your question! Replied April 03, 2026, 9:44 PM EDT

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