What's eating my prickly juniper?

Prickly Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus) is most threatened by juniper scale, which encrusts branches and causes needle yellowing. Spider mites, aphids, and deer browsing on young foliage also cause damage. Inspect for scale crusts in late winter; apply horticultural oil and protect young plants from deer with netting or repellent spray.

White or grey encrustations on needles and stems; yellowing and dieback of affected branches Apply dormant horticultural oil in late winter before new growth; repeat with summer oil if infestation persists; prune heavily infested branches

Fine stippling and bronzing on needles, webbing visible in hot dry conditions Blast foliage with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; improve air circulation and avoid drought stress

Sticky honeydew coating needles and attracting sooty mold; cluster of insects on young shoots Knock off with water spray; introduce ladybirds or lacewings; use insecticidal soap on persistent colonies

Ragged stripping of lower foliage and bark rubbing by antlers on young plants Install deer fencing or individual plant guards; apply deer repellent spray to foliage; plant in more exposed open positions where deer are less likely to browse