Wichita Blue Juniper

Mystic, CT(Zone 6b)

I have two WB Junipers planted on a hillside next to my garage. They are in a south facing, full sun position with really good drainage.

I suddenly noticed that these 2 previously lovely trees (I bought them 3 years ago) were turning yellowish green inside. When I got closer, some of the branches had a pink tinge to them and others had little bits of brown scattered though the soft inside parts of the fronds. The little bud like growths on one of the trees are brown. I actually picked off what I thought was a pest, but turned out to be a green bud thingy. There is no sign of any pest that I can see.

I have a new Skyrocket that is growing like a weed elsewhere, and 2 Robusta Greens doing fine in the backyard. But the Wichitas are looking really bad- blue on the outside with yellowish blecch color underneath.

Does anyone know what it is?

Thumbnail by Ivy1
Mystic, CT(Zone 6b)

Here is a closeup of some of the damaged parts:

Sorry about the pics, this is my old camera and it is not working properly.

Thumbnail by Ivy1
Mystic, CT(Zone 6b)

And another-

Thumbnail by Ivy1
Mystic, CT(Zone 6b)

One more, just in case that wasn't enough for you :)

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Mystic, CT(Zone 6b)

I have a couple of ideas what it may be, but I thought someone might ID it without me leading in a particular direction.

Illinois, IL(Zone 5b)

J. scopulorum cultivars notoriously susceptible to fungal diseases in the humid East. I don't know the pathogens very well, but you might start with the Phomopsis genus and see where that leads.

Guy S.

Mystic, CT(Zone 6b)

Thanks, Guy. I had a feeling it might be, considering our very, very wet spring and early summer.

Now I have to make the decision to spray or remove the infected plants altogether. I have other Junipers that I don't want infected.

Rock Island, IL(Zone 5b)

Yep, Guy S. is right. Rich Eyre (and Susan) in Woodstock, IL (Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery) won't sell any J. scopulorum because as his wife once told me and I quote: "They don't live very long in our climate."

Dax

Rock Island, IL(Zone 5b)

I do have a nice cultivar here though that I won on the internet as a plant of the month ID contest for the former once in business - Aestetic Gardens:

Juniperus scopulorum 'Snow Flurries':

Dax

Thumbnail by conifers
Rock Island, IL(Zone 5b)

And a close-up of the foliage:

Thumbnail by conifers

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