The Brief From winter injuries to drought, spider mites, leafminers, and the box tree moth, there are all sorts of afflictions targeting Michigan boxwoods. Michigan boxwoods are not alright. However, the box tree moth is what may push the state's issues into a new category. "(They're) the straw that broke the camel's back — the box tree moth might be that for our area of Southeast Michigan," she said. VanderWerp said the spread of the box tree moth is likely going to pick up over the next few years.