What's eating my lobbi japanese cedar?

Lobbi Japanese Cedar faces its greatest threat from cryptomeria scale and spider mites, especially in hot dry summers. Bagworms can defoliate branches, and deer occasionally browse young foliage. Monitor for needle yellowing and silky webbing. Good air circulation and avoiding drought stress reduce most pest pressure.

Tiny circular armored scales on needles and bark; yellowing needles; premature needle drop; heavy infestations cause branch dieback Apply horticultural oil in late winter to smother overwintering scales; repeat with insecticidal soap targeting crawlers in spring; prune out heavily encrusted branches

Fine stippling and bronzing of foliage; silky webbing between needles; severe infestations cause premature browning and needle shed Spray foliage with a strong water jet to dislodge mites; apply neem oil or miticide; avoid overhead drought stress which favors mite outbreaks

Silken bags camouflaged with foliage fragments hanging from branches; larvae strip needles from branch tips inward; severe infestations cause dieback Hand-pick and destroy bags in winter before eggs hatch; spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) on young larvae in early summer; use spinosad for heavier infestations