Managing Phomopsis Tip Blight in Junipers

Junipers turning brown at branch tips during rainy summers likely have Phomopsis tip blight. Young foliage turns dull red, then brown, finally ash-gray. The disease thrives in dense, moisture-retentive canopies.

Two-Pronged Control

1. Cultural: Prune out dead tips, remove debris, avoid overhead irrigation. Never shear — thin selectively in winter to improve air flow.
2. Chemical: Spray copper-based fungicides, thiophanate-methyl, or maneb at 10-day intervals during spring growth flush.

Long-Term Prevention

Young junipers with open habits resist disease. As they age and densify, proactive thinning and good drainage become essential. Prompt removal of dead wood is the single best practice.

juniper dead branches

juniper dead branches