3 (1 = rare 5 = annual)

2 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed)

Cercospora sequoiae juniperi attacks junipers. Most selections of Eastern Red Cedar and Chinese junipers have good resistance to this disease. However, Rocky Mountain juniper is known to be one of the most susceptible juniper species. This disease can also attack the Oriental Arborvitae.

Symptoms may be visible between two to three weeks after infection. The pathogen is able to over winter in the infected foliage on the trees. The disease usually starts near the base of the plant and works upward. It also starts usually on the inner foliage and works outward. The affected foliage turns bronze to light brown color then grayish. Small, fuzzy or hairy spore-bearing structures, easily seen with a hand lens, form on the dead foliage. Eventually the dead foliage and twigs falls off the branch. With time all the inner foliage and twigs are gone, leaving only foliage at the very tips of the branches. Occasionally adventitious buds may develop new growth on the "naked " lower branches. Left uncontrolled, the tips of the lower branches die too. Thus leaving only green growth at the very top of the plant. On highly susceptible trees, the fungus can also kill the entire plant, sometimes in as little as three years. Initially the green tips of the affected branches help to separate this disease from Phomopsis and Kabatina Blights. Phomopsis and Kabatina kill from infection (canker or wound) out to the tip in the same growing season.

There are more than 1,200 species in the genera Cercospora. And these fungi attack a wide range of plants. The disease spreads best during warm, wet weather. The spores penetrate new to one-year-old foliage during this time. At about 75 degrees, complete infection takes about sixteen hours.

Avoid over-crowding the plants to allow sufficient sunlight and air circulation. During wet early summers, fungicides applications may be necessary on susceptible junipers. Make two to three applications at labeled intervals between early June and early July.

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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