Skip to Left navigation Skip to Main content Skip to Footer

University of Minnesota Extension
www.extension.umn.edu
612-624-1222

Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous > Boxwood > Dead branches or branch dieback

Print Icon Email Icon Share Icon

Boxwood > Stems/branches > Dead branches or branch dieback

1 of 3
  • Image: 1
  • Image: 2
  • Image: 2

Winter injury

2 of 3
  • Image: 1
  • Image: 2
  • Image: 2

Oystershell scale
Lepidosaphes ulmi

  • Light to moderate infestations show little or no symptoms
  • Severe infestations can cause chlorotic, stunted foliage
  • Dieback and cracked bark can result from heavy infestations
  • Light to dark brown, elongated, 1/10 to 1/8 inch long oyster-shell shaped scales found on bark
  • More information on Oystershell Scale
3 of 3
  • Image: 1
  • Image: 2

Boxwood blight
Cylindrocladium buxicola (syn C. pseudonaviculatum)

  • Round leaf spots with a tan center and dark brown edge
  • White chalky looking spores on lower surface of leaf
  • Dark brown to black streaks on stems
  • Stem cankers can girdle and kill branches
  • Rapid defoliation and twig deback, roots remain healthy
  • Not currently found in MN. If suspected, call the Minnesota Department of Agriculture "Arrest the Pest" Hotline: 1-800-545-6684
  • More information on boxwood blight

Don't see what you're looking for?