What's eating my phoenicean juniper?

Phoenicean Juniper (Juniperus phoenicea) faces the same core threats as other junipers: juniper scale is the most damaging pest, causing grey encrustations and branch dieback. Spider mites thrive in hot dry summers typical of its Mediterranean range. Treat with horticultural oil at dormancy and monitor for mite flare-ups in drought periods.

Grey-white waxy crusts on needles and twigs; foliage yellows and dies back from affected areas Apply dormant horticultural oil before bud break; remove and destroy heavily scaled branches; encourage natural predators such as parasitic wasps

Fine yellow stippling on needles, bronze discolouration, fine webbing on shoot tips during hot dry spells Increase humidity around plants with water misting; apply neem oil or miticide in severe cases; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen which promotes soft growth mites favour

Honeydew deposits leading to sooty mold; soft new growth distorted; visible colonies of dark aphids Spray with insecticidal soap solution; encourage predatory insects; remove affected shoot tips if infestations are localised