Leaf Issues

Yellowing Leaves

Symptoms: Needles turning yellow or pale green, starting from the inner foliage and spreading outward. May affect entire branches or isolated sections.

Common Causes:

• Overwatering leading to poor drainage and oxygen deprivation
• Natural needle drop of older, inner foliage (typically in fall)
• Nutrient deficiency, particularly nitrogen or iron

Solutions:

• Check soil moisture and reduce watering frequency if soil is consistently wet
• Improve drainage by adding perlite or sand to soil mix
• Apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer for evergreens in spring

Prevention: Maintain well-draining soil, water only when top 2 inches are dry, and fertilize annually in early spring.

Brown/Crispy Leaves

Symptoms: Needle tips turning brown and crispy, progressing to entire needles. May appear burned or scorched, especially on sun-exposed sides.

Common Causes:

• Winter burn from cold, dry winds and bright sun
• Salt damage from de-icing products or fertilizer burn
• Severe drought stress or underwatering

Solutions:

• Provide winter protection with burlap screens or anti-desiccant spray
• Flush soil thoroughly to remove salt buildup
• Deep water during dry periods, especially before ground freezes

Prevention: Apply anti-desiccant spray in late fall, maintain consistent moisture, and protect from road salt spray.

Drooping/Wilting

Symptoms: Branches losing their naturally upright position, appearing limp or weighted down. Foliage may look dull or lose its vibrant green color.

Common Causes:

• Root damage from overwatering or root rot
• Severe dehydration during hot, dry periods
• Heavy snow or ice load causing physical damage

Solutions:

• Check root health and repot if root rot is present
• Gradually rehydrate with deep, infrequent watering
• Gently brush off heavy snow; prune damaged branches

Prevention: Ensure proper drainage, maintain consistent moisture levels, and provide structural support in heavy snow areas.

Leaf Drop

Symptoms: Excessive needle drop beyond normal seasonal shedding. Branches may appear sparse or bare, particularly in the interior.

Common Causes:

• Spider mite infestation causing needle damage
• Fungal diseases like juniper blight
• Environmental stress from transplant shock

Solutions:

• Treat spider mites with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
• Apply fungicide for confirmed fungal infections
• Minimize stress with proper watering and shade during establishment

Prevention: Regular inspection for pests, proper spacing for air circulation, and gradual acclimation when transplanting.

Growth Issues

Stunted Growth

Symptoms: Little to no new growth, smaller than normal needles, overall plant appears static or declining in vigor.

Common Causes:

• Poor soil conditions or compaction
• Insufficient light (needs full sun)
• Root-bound condition in containers

Solutions:

• Amend soil with organic matter and ensure proper pH (6.0-7.0)
• Relocate to full sun location or prune competing vegetation
• Repot or transplant to larger container or ground

Prevention: Plant in appropriate location with full sun, maintain soil health, and repot every 2-3 years for container plants.

Leggy/Stretching Growth

Symptoms: Sparse, elongated growth with large gaps between needle clusters. Loss of compact, dense form characteristic of the cultivar.

Common Causes:

• Insufficient light causing etiolation
• Lack of proper pruning to maintain shape
• Over-fertilization promoting rapid, weak growth

Solutions:

• Move to location with at least 6 hours direct sunlight
• Prune strategically to encourage dense branching
• Reduce fertilizer application and use low-nitrogen formulas

Prevention: Maintain full sun exposure, prune annually in early spring, and fertilize sparingly with appropriate ratios.

Pest Problems

Spider Mites

Identification: Tiny red or brown specks on needles, fine webbing on branch tips, stippled or bronzed foliage appearance.

Damage Signs: Needles turn gray-green then brown, severe infestations cause branch dieback

Treatment:

• Spray with strong water stream to dislodge mites
• Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap thoroughly
• Use miticide for severe infestations, rotating products

Prevention: Maintain plant vigor, avoid dusty conditions, and introduce predatory mites as biological control.

Juniper Scale

Identification: Small, white, waxy bumps on needles and stems, resembling tiny oyster shells attached to branches.

Damage Signs: Yellowing needles, branch dieback, honeydew secretion attracting ants and sooty mold

Treatment:

• Prune out heavily infested branches
• Apply dormant oil spray in late winter
• Use systemic insecticide during crawler stage in spring

Prevention: Regular monitoring, maintain plant health, and avoid over-fertilization which attracts soft-bodied pests.

Bagworms

Identification: Spindle-shaped bags made of plant material hanging from branches, 1-2 inches long when mature.

Damage Signs: Defoliation starting at branch tips, entire branches may be stripped of needles

Treatment:

• Hand-pick and destroy bags in winter or early spring
• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when caterpillars are small
• Use contact insecticide for severe infestations in early summer

Prevention: Thorough inspection in fall and winter, remove egg-containing bags before May hatching.

Disease Issues

Phomopsis Blight (Juniper Tip Blight)

Symptoms: New growth turns yellow then reddish-brown, progressing from tips inward. Black fruiting bodies visible on dead tissue.

Causes: Fungal infection favored by cool, wet spring weather

Treatment:

• Prune out infected branches during dry weather
• Apply copper-based fungicide in spring as new growth emerges
• Improve air circulation through selective pruning

Prevention: Plant resistant varieties, avoid overhead watering, maintain proper spacing between plants.

Kabatina Blight

Symptoms: Branch tips turn brown in late winter/early spring, sharp demarcation between dead and healthy tissue

Causes: Fungal pathogen entering through wounds or winter injury

Treatment:

• Prune affected branches 6 inches below diseased tissue
• Apply protective fungicide in fall before infection period
• Disinfect pruning tools between cuts

Prevention: Minimize winter injury, avoid late-season pruning, maintain overall plant health.

Root Problems

Root Rot

Symptoms: Overall decline, yellowing foliage, soft or mushy roots with foul odor, bark peeling at soil line

Identification: Gently remove plant from container to inspect roots; healthy roots are white/cream, diseased roots are brown/black

Treatment:

• Remove plant and trim all affected roots with sterile tools
• Repot in fresh, well-draining soil mix
• Apply fungicide drench if fungal pathogen confirmed

Prevention: Never allow juniper to sit in standing water, use well-draining soil, and ensure proper container drainage holes.

Root Bound

Symptoms: Slowed growth, water runs through pot quickly, roots visible at surface or drainage holes

Identification: Dense root mass circling container bottom, difficulty removing plant from pot

Treatment:

• Carefully tease out circling roots or make vertical cuts
• Repot in container 2-3 inches larger in diameter
• Root prune if transplanting to ground

Prevention: Repot every 2-3 years, choose appropriate container size, monitor root growth annually.

Environmental Stress

Temperature Shock

Symptoms: Sudden browning after temperature extremes, frost damage on new growth, winter burn on exposed sides

Causes: Rapid temperature fluctuations, late spring frosts, extreme winter cold without snow cover

Treatment: Prune damaged growth in spring, provide temporary shade during recovery, maintain soil moisture

Prevention: Select appropriate hardiness zone plants, provide windbreaks, apply anti-desiccant before winter.

Humidity Issues

Low Humidity Symptoms: Needle tips brown, increased spider mite susceptibility

High Humidity Symptoms: Increased fungal disease risk, poor air circulation damage

Solutions: Group plants together, use gravel trays for container plants, ensure proper spacing in landscape

Prevention: Monitor local humidity levels, provide appropriate air circulation, avoid overhead watering in humid conditions.

Light Stress

Too Much Light: Bleached or yellowed needles on sun-exposed sides, especially in summer

Too Little Light: Sparse growth, loss of compact form, increased disease susceptibility

Solutions: Provide afternoon shade in extreme heat zones, relocate to full sun if shaded

Prevention: Plant in location receiving 6-8 hours direct sunlight, monitor for seasonal light changes.

Quick Diagnostic Guide

Emergency Symptoms

When to Seek Help

• Multiple problems occurring simultaneously
• Disease symptoms spreading despite treatment
• Structural damage affecting more than 50% of plant

Prevention Checklist

• [ ] Plant in full sun with well-draining soil
• [ ] Water deeply but infrequently, checking soil moisture first
• [ ] Fertilize sparingly in early spring only
• [ ] Inspect monthly for pests and diseases
• [ ] Prune annually to maintain shape and air circulation
• [ ] Protect from winter winds and salt spray

Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Remove damaged portions, address immediate stressors (water, pests)

Week 2-3: New growth buds may appear if growing season, continue monitoring

Month 1+: Sustained new growth indicates recovery, maintain optimal care routine

Remember: Most Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' problems are preventable with proper care. When in doubt, adjust watering first, then light conditions.