Broom Rust

Bright orange or brown fuzzy pustules appear on leaf undersides, indicating this fungal disease requires two different plant species to complete its entire life cycle. The disease spreads readily by wind-borne spores traveling from alternate hosts to susceptible plants. Remove nearby alternate hosts or susceptible plants to interrupt the disease cycle. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering that spreads spores.

Remove and destroy cedar brooms before spring. Remove alternate hosts from around the planting. Identify and manage the alternate host if one exists. Remove heavily infected tissue and clean up fallen debris. Preventive fungicide applications before the infection window offer the best chemical control.