Dead Laurels (Prunus Laurocerasus)

 
Could anyone throw any light on the cause of dead laurel bushes? They
are about
15ft tall and more so very established. The leaves and bark
are a terrible
black, withered colour and this has spread amongst the
hedgerow which is about
70-80 meters in length.The dead are in clumps or
isolated plants, so how this
has occured and has spread is a mystery.
I'd have guessed if it where a fungal
or pest disease that the spreading
would go through adjacent plants and not be
scattered as it is.

I have cut out all of the dead ones and burned them, the problem was
first
spotted early in the new year 2010 and many plants have been
destroyed and we
fear the loss of the whole row. I cannot see any
evidence of nearby properties
having the problem with any of their
shrubs/trees, let alone laurels.

Does anyone know what this could be and, if so, how to stop it?

Thanks

Terry.




--
Terry Deans

 
Terry Deans;904196 Wrote:

laurel bushes? They

leaves and bark

amongst the

clumps or

mystery.

spreading

spotted early in the new year 2010 and many plants have been

> destroyed and we

fear the loss of the whole row. I cannot see any

> evidence of nearby properties

having the problem with any of their

Sound like a Fungal disease called shot hole, it spread with the wind
and rain
and could spread right through a hedge due to the nature that
the plants and
close together.

I would rake all fallan leaves and burn them, you can buy a fungal spray
containing copper oxychloride which is surpose to be effective.

Hope this helps




--
johnmoore84