Seiridium Canker

Seiridium cardinale

37 host plants

Last updated

Data Maturity Structured

This profile synthesizes data from multiple published sources. Expert field review is in progress.

Seiridium canker shows up as branch dieback and stem cankers on Port Orford cedar, incense cedar, and arborvitae. You'll see discoloration and sunken areas on branches and the main stem, often starting on lower growth and gradually progressing upward. The cankers may weep or show resin bleeding. Look for this disease year-round in temperate regions, but infection pressure is highest during wet periods when wounds are most susceptible to invasion.

This disease can weaken or kill valuable ornamental conifers, particularly mature specimens that have been stressed by drought or poor site conditions. The key to managing seiridium canker is prevention through proper cultural practices: maintain tree vigor with appropriate irrigation and drainage, prune out infected branches as soon as you notice them, and avoid wounding trees during wet weather when spores are most active.

Quick Reference

Causal Agent
Seiridium cardinale
Host Plants
37
Favorable Conditions
Wound entry (pruning, frost, damage). Most active during cool, wet dormancy. ...

Management

Vulnerability Window

Wound entry primarily Oct–May. Canker reactivation and expansion Mar–May (spring sap flow). Symptoms visible Apr–June. BBCH 97–09.

What Triggers Infection

Wound entry (pruning, frost, damage). Most active during cool, wet dormancy. Spring sap flow reactivates cankers. High humidity favors spore production.

Host Plants (37)

Callitropsis nootkatensis Alaska Cedar, Nootka Cypress, Nootka Falsecypress, Yellow Cedar Calocedrus decurrens Incense Cedar Cedrus atlantica Atlas Cedar Cedrus brevifolia Cyprus Cedar Cedrus deodara Deodar Cedar, Himalayan Cedar Cedrus libani Cedar, of Lebanon Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia Cypress Cedar, Cyprian Cedar Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Port Orford Cedar Chamaecyparis obtusa Hinoki Falsecypress, Hinoki Cypress, Japanese Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera Sawara Falsecypress, Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis thyoides White Cedar, Atlantic Whitecedar, Whitecedar Falsecypress Cryptomeria japonica Japanese Cedar Juniperus cedrus Canary Island Juniper Juniperus chinensis Chinese Juniper Juniperus communis Common Juniper Juniperus conferta Juniperus conferta Juniperus deppeana Alligator Juniper, Checkered-bark Juniper Juniperus formosana Formosan Juniper Juniperus grey Juniperus grey Juniperus horizontalis Creeping Juniper Juniperus monosperma Oneseed Juniper Juniperus occidentalis Western Juniper Juniperus osteosperma Utah Juniper Juniperus pingii Ping Juniper Juniperus procumbens Japanese Garden Juniper, Bonin Island Juniper, Ibuki Juniper Juniperus rigida Temple Juniper, Needle Juniper Juniperus rigida subsp. conferta Shore Juniper Juniperus sabina Savin Juniper Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain Juniper Juniperus squamata Singleseed Juniper, Flaky Juniper, gao shan bai Taiwania cryptomerioides Formosan Redwood Taiwan Cedar Taiwania, Coffin Tree Tamarix parviflora Small-flowered Tamarix, Salt Cedar Thuja occidentalis Eastern Arborvitae, American Arborvitae Eastern White-cedar Thuja orientalis Chinese Arborvitae, Oriental Arborvitae Thuja plicata Western Redcedar Widdringtonia nodiflora Berg Cypress Mountain Cypress, Mountain Cedar Widdringtonia schwarzii Willowmore Cedar