Phomopsis Tip Blight

The Phomopsis fungi attack a wide range of plants. On juniper, the fungus is Phomopsis juniperovora and it causes dieback of the new shoot growth. The affected tips turn brown as they die. Over several years this fungus can kill the plant. Some junipers are much more susceptible than others.

Control

Control includes growing resistant varieties. Where practical, prune out and destroy all blighted plant parts as they appear, but restrict pruning and shearing to dry weather. For additional information check the Phomopsis Blight fact sheet.

Written by James Schuster, Extension Educator, Horticulture, and reviewed by Bruce Paulsrud, Extension Specialist, Pesticide Applicator Training and Plant Pathology, Department of Crop Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.