White cover on blue berry branches - Ask Extension
My plants are very old. They have a white covering , covering a lot of the branches. What is it?
Knowledgebase
White cover on blue berry branches #932757
Asked May 24, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT
My plants are very old. They have a white covering , covering a lot of the branches. What is it?
Pennington County Minnesota
Expert Response
Without a picture that is in crisp focus of the shrub and a closeup of a branch it is difficult to guess what it is. Also more information is necessary. Is this a new problem, are leaves affected, does it cover the branch or is it in spots? More information and a photo would be needed to suggest what is the cause.
If there is a plant nursery near by taking pictures and showing them to the nursery owner would probably get an answer.
Some pests and diseases look white and these are powdery mildew and scale. Harmless lichens look white
If there is a plant nursery near by taking pictures and showing them to the nursery owner would probably get an answer.
Some pests and diseases look white and these are powdery mildew and scale. Harmless lichens look white
I found out it is lichen's on my blueberrys! Not harmful but it means my 40 year plus old blueberrys are coming to an end! Thank you so much for your quick response
I found out it is lichen's on my blueberrys! Not harmful but it means my 40 year plus old blueberrys are coming to an end! Thank you so much for your quick response
I found out it is lichen's on my blueberrys! Not harmful but it means my 40 year plus old blueberrys are coming to an end! Thank you so much for your quick response
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-blueberries-home-garden
Blueberry bushes can survive for 50 plus years. The presence of lichens probably indicate you are not pruning out the oldest stems. Check out proper pruning for blueberries and don’t remove more than 25 % in one season.
Blueberry bushes can survive for 50 plus years. The presence of lichens probably indicate you are not pruning out the oldest stems. Check out proper pruning for blueberries and don’t remove more than 25 % in one season.
