The cypress is a highly appreciated tree in the world of landscaping, because it has an elegant appearance and turns out to be quite resistant. However, like all species, it is especially sensitive to certain insect infestations and infections by fungi and bacteria. Therefore, we are going to review the Cypress pests and diseases.
Because we want you to be aware of everything that can affect your health. So that you know how to recognize the symptoms that something is wrong and you can take measures as soon as possible to avoid greater problems.
Pests that affect the cypress
Insects fulfill an important mission to contribute to biodiversity and the maintenance of ecosystems, but when they become a pest, They can endanger the health (and even the life) of trees and plants.
Cypress pests and diseases depend on the specific conditions to which the tree is exposed and the weather, but these are the most common:
Aphids
These small insects are barely visible, but they are voraciously hungry and feed on the sap from tree leaves. Besides, They love the young shoots and branches of the cypress.
Although they are usually green, there are also some black or brown varieties. They group in large colonies, and It is then when we can be aware of its presence.
If you notice that your cypress has yellow leaves, or that they have begun to curl up on themselves, check them carefully, because You may find thousands of aphids doing their thing.
Other symptoms of an aphid infestation are that the tree stops growing or appears weaker than normal in general.
Scale
Scale pests are especially complicated to combat, because these insects adhere tightly to the trunk and the barks of trees to suck their sap.
They belong to the coccoid family, within which we can find a great variety. Besides, They differ depending on whether they are “hard” or “soft”. Hard scale insects have a rigid covering, while soft scale insects have a soft, waxy covering. But, regardless of what type of scale insect it is, the truth is that they have the capacity to cause serious damage to trees.
Although scale prefers fruit trees, they also do not miss the opportunity if they can infect a cypress.
They are difficult to detect with the naked eye, because their brown or black color makes them go unnoticed. But a cypress affected by a pest of this type begins to show signs of weakening, its leaves turn yellow and there is premature fall.
Caterpillars
The caterpillar is the larva of the moth, and is characterized by being a very voracious insect that loves the tender shoots of the cypress tree. By taking a look at the leaves we can already know if the tree is infected, because its leaves have bites or holes.
When the presence of caterpillars reaches the level of being a pest, the tree defoliates (loss of leaves), its growth slows down, and it may appear weak.
How to act against pests and how to prevent them?
The ideal in these cases is to take these measures:
- Introduce natural enemies. Attract predatory insects to the tree that feed on the insects that can infest the cypress. For example, spiders and ladybugs.
- Regular monitoring. There is no better way to avoid pests than to regularly monitor the tree for signs of infestation.
- Promote tree health. Proper watering and a good amount of nutrients are the best way to make the tree strong and protected from infestations.
- Chemical treatments. It is possible to apply preventive treatments and also proactive treatments if there is already an infestation. These should always be specific insecticides used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Pruning. Removing the most affected parts of the tree is very useful to control the spread of the pest.
Cypress diseases
Fungi, bacteria and viruses are mainly responsible for some of the most common diseases of cypress.
Cypress canker
It is a fungal disease in which the fungi manifest themselves in the form of dark spots that may be swollen, and appear on both the trunk and branches. As the disease progresses, it can cause the death of affected tissue.
In addition to spots, other symptoms that this fungus is affecting the cypress are the weakening of the tree, the reduction of its growth and the death of the branches.
Phytophthora
This fungal disease reaches the tree through its roots. The fungus is in the soil and infects its roots.
Among its most obvious symptoms we can see that the leaves begin to turn yellowish and fall prematurely. Besides, Dark spots appear on both the trunk and roots. The state of health of the tree becomes more delicate overall, and it is possible that some of its branches die.
Cypress cytoline
It is another disease caused by a fungus, and it has symptoms very similar to the previous ones. To identify it we have to look for dark spots on the leaves and branches., in which we also see defoliation and wilting.
How to treat and prevent cypress diseases?
If the tree has already been infected, it can help us to apply a specific treatment. Therefore, it is important to know if what is affecting you is a fungus, a virus or a bacteria.
For prevention, the ideal is:
- Improve soil drainage. Moisture is a breeding ground for fungi, so the tree will be better protected if its soil dries quickly and does not accumulate water.
- Avoid mechanical injuries. Try not to damage the tree with tools, because these “wounds” are an entry point for pathogens. If you have to prune, remember to disinfect the tools both before and after doing the job.
- Regular monitoring. As in the case of pests, the best prevention is to periodically review the condition of the tree to check that everything is in order.
We cannot get rid of cypress pests and diseases, but we can prevent them and act quickly if they occur.