Pest identification
What's eating my dawn redwood bonsai?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new growth and shoot tips; sticky honeydew, curled or stunted new leaves
Control: Blast off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for larger infestations; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled, discolored needles and fine webbing on foliage, particularly during hot, dry summers
Control: Mist foliage regularly; treat with neem oil or a miticide; repeat every 5–7 days until the infestation clears
Japanese beetles (US)
Signs: Skeletonized leaves with only veins remaining; adults feed in groups in mid-summer, causing visible defoliation
Control: Hand-pick adults in the morning when sluggish; apply neem oil as a deterrent; avoid Japanese beetle traps near the tree
Keep dawn redwood bonsai pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Dawn Redwood Bonsai pests — FAQ
What is eating my dawn redwood bonsai?
Dawn Redwood bonsai are remarkably pest-resistant, especially when kept outdoors with good airflow. Aphids and spider mites occasionally trouble the soft, feathery foliage — particularly in dry conditions. Japanese beetles will skeletonize leaves in summer in the US. Overall, healthy specimens rarely suffer serious infestations.
How do I get rid of aphids on dawn redwood bonsai?
Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new growth and shoot tips; sticky honeydew, curled or stunted new leaves Blast off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for larger infestations; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
How do I get rid of spider mites on dawn redwood bonsai?
Stippled, discolored needles and fine webbing on foliage, particularly during hot, dry summers Mist foliage regularly; treat with neem oil or a miticide; repeat every 5–7 days until the infestation clears
How do I get rid of japanese beetles (us) on dawn redwood bonsai?
Skeletonized leaves with only veins remaining; adults feed in groups in mid-summer, causing visible defoliation Hand-pick adults in the morning when sluggish; apply neem oil as a deterrent; avoid Japanese beetle traps near the tree