Infection begins with the germination of asexual conidia, borne from pycnidia, on susceptible tissue, the mycelia gradually move inwards down the branch, and into the main stem.

Management strategies mainly include removing and destroying diseased tissue and limiting the presence of moisture on plants.

[2] Although spores from diseased juniper plants infect healthy hosts in the fall, symptoms are usually not seen until late winter or early spring.

New shoots that are normally yellow-green in color begin to turn to red brown and then ashen gray as they slowly die from the fungal disease.

[3] Repeated blighting occurring in early summer may also result in abnormal bunching caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa or more commonly known as Witches Broom.

Although the observation of symptoms is the first step in identification of this pathogen, the presence of both alpha and beta spores in the pycnidium must be verified in order to confirm the existence of P. juniperova.

Beta spores are rarely found in the wild, but proliferate when P. juniperova is grown on cultures of potato dextrose agar.

[6] If the resources for this method of diagnosis are not available, contact a local extension office to be directed to an expert in plant pathogens or a laboratory that can assist with the process.

[2] At the end of the prime growing season, new spores (contained in pycnidia) overwinter on dead, dry tissue until conditions improve, in which the reproductive cycle starts up again.

If blight is already established in a population, then the most effective management strategies include sanitation and chemical application to prevent further infection.

[11] Furthermore, avoid planting in poorly drained or heavily shaded areas as prolonged moisture or wetness will promote disease development.

Fungicides with active ingredients such as propiconazole or mancozeb, a combination of zinc, manganese, and ethylene bisdithiocarbamate, should help prevent disease development.

All juniper species are considered valuable in horticulture due to their aesthetically pleasing appearance and general resistance to disease as well as using the heart wood for goods such as fence posts and other landscaping products.

[11] This is due to the decrease in aesthetic appeal, and the infection can increase the likelihood of the plant not surviving transplanting or taking longer to establish.