Boxwood trouble - Ask Extension
I found this on many boxwood shrubs throughout a property I do groundskeeping for. It is killing the boxwoods in multiple locations of the property th...
Knowledgebase
Boxwood trouble #943865
Asked August 31, 2026, 1:23 PM EDT
I found this on many boxwood shrubs throughout a property I do groundskeeping for. It is killing the boxwoods in multiple locations of the property that aren't even next to each other.
St. Clair County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello
The close up pictures are a bit blurry.
Would you please take a couple more- especially in the section showing all yellow and brown leaves and dropped leaves?
1. we need to see any patterns on the yellow and brown leaves and any discoloration on the stems.
2. Also, do you see any eaten leaves or any webbing in the branches?
3. Had these boxwood been watered deeply during the droughty period in July through August?
I am trying to determine if this is drought, or boxwood blight or possibly the result of box tree moth defoliation.
Here are the bulletins on those two issues-
Blight- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/boxwood-blight-disease-identified-in-michigan
box tree moth- https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/whats-wrong-with-my-boxwood-common-issues-and-solutions
You may attach 3 pictures per question update. Each picture must be 8 mb or less.
To attach more than 3 pictures:
Follow the link in your email into your question. attach 3 pictures and update your question.
Then go back in and attach another 3 pictures if needed.
The close up pictures are a bit blurry.
Would you please take a couple more- especially in the section showing all yellow and brown leaves and dropped leaves?
1. we need to see any patterns on the yellow and brown leaves and any discoloration on the stems.
2. Also, do you see any eaten leaves or any webbing in the branches?
3. Had these boxwood been watered deeply during the droughty period in July through August?
I am trying to determine if this is drought, or boxwood blight or possibly the result of box tree moth defoliation.
Here are the bulletins on those two issues-
Blight- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/boxwood-blight-disease-identified-in-michigan
box tree moth- https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/whats-wrong-with-my-boxwood-common-issues-and-solutions
You may attach 3 pictures per question update. Each picture must be 8 mb or less.
To attach more than 3 pictures:
Follow the link in your email into your question. attach 3 pictures and update your question.
Then go back in and attach another 3 pictures if needed.
I forgot to attach an example of what your first picture seems to show. I believe the white round spheres are the flower buds on your boxwood- see the attached picture from Purdue Extension. https://www.arboretum.purdue.edu/explorer/plants/21309/?TSPD_101_R0=08993c5290ab2000197aa6bd7cabf198ab6115a832c265577741c3b5b830437ec003714e<personal data hidden>dde3122c14300046fda7f10e89b5c8df5d285778a5171dd34525ab93247321b63251355e9d5ff61531fb057f14eb59118a5b535bf99ffe
