Seiridium cardinale Canker on Cypress in South Florida or Bark canker in Cupressaceae caused by the fungal pathogen Seiridium cardinale Canker on Cypress in South Florida causing death to cypress and other species around the world in many temperate regions that are in the latitudes that lie between the tropics and the polar regions.
Florida nurseries have been decimated by Seiridium canker, if you purchase an Italian cypress or any of the cypress on the list bellow in South Florida chances are it already has the pathogen that causes the canker. Tests are now indicating that California is the most likely source of the canker
Over 30 species of trees are affected by Seiridium cardinale Canker
Alaska cedar Xanthocyparis nootkatensis
Arizona cypress Cupressus arizonica
bastard cedar Calocedrus decurrens
camphorwood Callitris preissii
Chilean cedar Libocedrus chilensis
Chinese arborvitae Platycladus orientalis
Chinese juniper Juniperus chinensis
common juniper Juniperus communis
Cupressocyparis ovensii
eastern redcedar Juniperus virginiana
Eastern white cedar Thuja occidentalis
gowen cypress Cupressus goveniana
japanese arborvitae Thuja standishii
Japanese cedar Cryptomeria japonica
Juniperus decurrens
Leyland cypress Cupressocyparis leylandii
mcNab’s cypress Cupressus macnabiana
Mediterranean cypress Cupressus sempervirens
mendocino cypress Cupressus pygmaea
Mexican cypress Cupressus lusitanica
Monterey cypress Cupressus macrocarpa
oyster Bay pine Callitris rhomboidea
Patagonian cypress Fitzroya cupressoides
Port Orford cedar Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
santa Cruz cypress Cupressus abramsiana
sargent’s cypress Cupressus sargentii
tecate cypress Cupressus forbesii
weeping cypress Cupressus cashmeriana
western Juniper Juniperus occidentalis
western redcedar Thuja plicata
The secret to control in ornamental landscapes seems to be preventive spray applications prior to inoculation or contracting the disease about every 28 days or once a month. This is not a sustainable option as it is not environmentally responsible and very costly to perform by a professional pest control company.
Cypress trees that are above 15 feet are very difficult to spray with conventional equipment as they may not reach the top due to wind drift.
In university studies the following products have been proven to slow down the progression of the disease but no long term cure is in sight if the trees have contracted the disease.
1. Clearys 3336F Fungicide Thiophanate-methyl
2. Pageant Intrinsic Brand Fungicide Active Ingredient: Boscalid
3. Armada 50 WDG Fungicide Active Ingredient: Triadimenol
4. Azoxy 2SC Select Active Ingredient: Azoxystrobin
