Pest identification
What's eating my cunninghamia 'glauca'?
Scale insects (Lepidosaphes pini and relatives)
Signs: Armoured scales encrust stems and branch bases; sticky honeydew leads to sooty mould and reduced vigour.
Control: Horticultural oil applied at crawler emergence in spring; systemic drench for severe infestations; prune out worst-affected shoots.
Spider mites (Tetranychus spp.)
Signs: Needle stippling and bronzing in summer; fine webbing between needles; premature needle drop in heavy infestations.
Control: Improve air circulation; apply a miticide such as abamectin; avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen which promotes soft growth attractive to mites.
Keep cunninghamia 'glauca' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cunninghamia 'Glauca' pests — FAQ
What is eating my cunninghamia 'glauca'?
Cunninghamia 'Glauca' shares the same minimal pest profile as the species. Scale insects are the most likely visitor in garden settings, and spider mites may appear during hot dry spells. No serious insect pests or diseases are recorded for this cultivar in UK or US landscapes.
How do I get rid of scale insects (lepidosaphes pini and relatives) on cunninghamia 'glauca'?
Armoured scales encrust stems and branch bases; sticky honeydew leads to sooty mould and reduced vigour. Horticultural oil applied at crawler emergence in spring; systemic drench for severe infestations; prune out worst-affected shoots.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus spp.) on cunninghamia 'glauca'?
Needle stippling and bronzing in summer; fine webbing between needles; premature needle drop in heavy infestations. Improve air circulation; apply a miticide such as abamectin; avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen which promotes soft growth attractive to mites.