Buds on Juniper

[larlamonde]

Probably a dumb question but I have small egg shaped brown buds on my juniper. I think they are buds. Should I let them grow or pinch them off? What will happen if I leave them alone? The tree is over 20 years old. My first post, thanks.

 

[october]

Before answering, we need to pictures.

Rob

 

[Dav4]

Probably pollen cones...pics would confirm

 

[larlamonde]

Thanks Dave I think that's what they are. What should I do with them?

 

[Dav4]

I'd leave them alone. Once they ripen and the tree starts to grow, they dry up and disappear...no worries.

 

[Eric Group]

I had a bunch of these n a couple Procumbens I just got recently, I assumed since it was a reproductive thing- much like a flower say on an azalea- they were probably sapping some energy that could begin into healthy growth, so I removed them... Plus they were a little bit unsightly IMO, so the trees look a little better without them... Some of the growth around where the pollen cones are was getting a little yellow which I took as a sign that my assumption about them sapping energy might be right... Or the trees are just pot bound. I repotted one and it was rather pot bound, so it might be a combination of factors..

 

[sikadelic]

Is that white stuff scale on the pictured juniper?