susieq

Hi Damon,
You asked about a test for this pest....I don't know of any other than watching for the symptoms. Mainly healthy looking foliage that just falls off the tree or comes away in your hand with barely a touch. If this happens, look closely at the piece of foliage where it was connected to the tree. Usually it will have a tiny brown area that goes all the way around the stem. You might closely inspect your juniper's foliage to see if any of the stems near their base are turning brown in a tiny area that goes all the way around the stem. These areas are very tiny. I wish I knew what the bug looked like. I just know that we tend to get them here in Florida and they must be very very small.

I usually do ok if I keep things sprayed through the summer. I hate using chemicals as much as anyone but I am also a realist....we live in Florida and have heavy duty bugs here. The heat and humidity help most pests thrive and if you wait until you have a problem to treat, you are going to lose some trees. Good luck with your shipaku. I have San Jose' junipers and a couple of squamata prostratas or procumbens junipers. I tried my hand at shimpaku and failed.
susieq

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