What's eating my sciadopitys 'ossorio gold'?

Sciadopitys 'Ossorio Gold' is a golden-needled slow-growing cultivar. Like the species, it has very few pest problems but spider mites can stress plants during hot dry summers, dulling the golden color. Scale insects and deer browsing are occasional garden threats. Consistent watering, mulching, and half-shade siting minimize all three risks.

Pale stippling dulls the characteristic golden needle color; fine webbing visible in severe summer infestations Water deeply and mulch to keep roots cool; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on needle undersides every 7 days until clear

Brown crusty bumps on stems; honeydew drip below; localized needle yellowing and dieback Apply horticultural oil as a dormant spray in late winter; check for crawlers in spring and spray again if present

Browsing of foliage and stem tips; bark damage from antler rubbing on young specimens Install protective fencing or individual wire cages around young plants; use motion-activated deterrents or deer repellent sprays