I’ve been asked several times this spring, “why did you stop treating boxwoods for Boxwood Blight?” I’m asked this in response to several boxwood showing yellow branches here and there across campus. Please understand that the damage you see on Boxwoods this time of year, is not related to Boxwood Blight at all. The Blight occurs during humid periods of consistent 70*F or higher temperatures. While it’s important to start treating boxwoods for blight in April, it traditionally won’t be an issue until June through October in our climate. There are several other pathogens that can affect Boxwoods. Boxwood blight is just one of a handful of pathogens that can cause problems. It is also happens to be the most destructive of pathogens affecting Boxwood. This past winter, particularly around Christmas time, when we experienced -20*F wind chills, was not kind to a number of plant species, one being Boxwood. It’s my opinion that what you’re seeing on boxwood now is the result of winter damage that was then exacerbated by a secondary pathogen. Winter damage to a branch makes that branch more susceptible to other pests. In this case, we resumed our normal treatments in April and will eventually trim the damaged branches from the Boxwoods on campus. Over the course of a year, the shrubs should recover nicely and get back to a nice, dense green color.