Cypress canker

Cypress canker is really the only disease known to this conifer.

Although generally quite hardy, a canker infection can devastate an entire hedge and neighboring plants.

It tends to expand to the entire tree, and branches will start turning rust-colored and then die off one at a time.

Cypress leaves and branches turn brown, orange and dry off

No doubt about it: canker.

This is a microscopic fungus that sneaks in under the bark and can devastate entire forests – or hedges – of cypress.

Treating against cypress canker

Sadly, there isn’t any truly effective treatment against canker. Only controlling the spread is possible when it appears.

Cut any branch that has developed rust-colored blemishes at its base as soon as you detect the disease, and burn them.

Smart tip about cypress canker

It is preferable to be drastic and leave a scrawny cypress standing, than to hope against hope that it will go away: the only thing to go away will be more cypresses…