What's eating my california juniper?

California Juniper, native to dry chaparral slopes, is most commonly damaged by juniper scale and spider mites in both garden and bonsai culture. Bagworms are a recurring defoliator. Aphids attack new growth in spring. Deer browse young plants in the wild. Heat and drought stress increase susceptibility to all these pests.

White or grey encrusting scale on stems and foliage; yellowing, browning tips, and branch dieback in heavy infestations Apply dormant horticultural oil in late winter; manually remove with a soft brush; follow up with systemic insecticide if needed

Dusty, bronzed, dull foliage with silky webbing; accelerated by hot dry conditions common in California chaparral habitat Ensure adequate irrigation; mist foliage; apply neem oil or proprietary miticide and repeat in 7–10 days

Spindle-shaped bags of foliage and silk on branches; interior larvae consume foliage, causing localized brown die-back Hand-remove bags in winter when empty; spray Bt or spinosad onto young larvae in late spring before bags enlarge