Pest identification
What's eating my crippsii hinoki cypress?
Juniper scale (Carulaspis juniperi)
Signs: White armoured scales on fronds; yellowing golden foliage; dieback of affected branchlets
Control: Horticultural oil spray at crawler stage (late spring); follow up in summer; remove and dispose of heavily scaled stems
Spider mites (Tetranychus spp.)
Signs: Golden foliage dulls and develops pale stippling; webbing on the underside of fronds in dry summers
Control: Regular water misting; horticultural oil or insecticidal soap applied every 7–10 days during infestations
Deer
Signs: Bright golden foliage browsed; branch tips snapped; young trees particularly vulnerable
Control: Deer repellent spray reapplied after rain; physical fencing or wire cage on young specimens
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) — UK/container
Signs: Grubs eat roots causing wilting and sudden collapse of container-grown plants
Control: Nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) applied to containers in September; inspect root ball of any declining plant
Keep crippsii hinoki cypress pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Crippsii Hinoki Cypress pests — FAQ
What is eating my crippsii hinoki cypress?
Crippsii Hinoki Cypress, with its bright golden foliage, is attractive to deer and prone to juniper scale and spider mites in summer heat. Scale insects are the most damaging insect pest, causing branch dieback in severe cases. In UK gardens vine weevil attacks pot-grown specimens. Good air circulation reduces mite pressure.
How do I get rid of juniper scale (carulaspis juniperi) on crippsii hinoki cypress?
White armoured scales on fronds; yellowing golden foliage; dieback of affected branchlets Horticultural oil spray at crawler stage (late spring); follow up in summer; remove and dispose of heavily scaled stems
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus spp.) on crippsii hinoki cypress?
Golden foliage dulls and develops pale stippling; webbing on the underside of fronds in dry summers Regular water misting; horticultural oil or insecticidal soap applied every 7–10 days during infestations
How do I get rid of deer on crippsii hinoki cypress?
Bright golden foliage browsed; branch tips snapped; young trees particularly vulnerable Deer repellent spray reapplied after rain; physical fencing or wire cage on young specimens
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) — uk/container on crippsii hinoki cypress?
Grubs eat roots causing wilting and sudden collapse of container-grown plants Nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) applied to containers in September; inspect root ball of any declining plant