Hello Sam,

These shrubs are a type of holly, though it's hard to determine exactly which since so many look very similar. (They look closest to either of the two hybrid varieties named 'Oakland' or 'Oak Leaf', though their specific ID doesn't matter too much in this case.)

The damage on the trunk is from Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a type of woodpecker. Their feeding damage can look drastic, but rarely impacts the overall health of the tree they utilize. This damage appears quite old, and looks well-sealed. No action needs to be taken with regards to this activity. Here's more info., if you're curious:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/woodpecker-and-sapsucker-damage-trees

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2018/02/01/habichat-sapsuckers/

The leaf browning may be due to branch dieback, though its initial cause is difficult to determine. Sometimes root damage, either from physical digging too close to the plant or from overly-wet or overly-dry conditions for too long a period can lead to corresponding branch loss. You can check for scale insects on the interior stems, though it's likely any such damage they inflict wouldn't be that localized. Scale (of the type that typically feed on holly) can be white or brown-gray in color, and would appear to be lumps clustered on young twigs, underneath foliage, or on the trunk itself. Here's more information on the two types of scale, with the first being easier to detect than the second:
"soft" scales: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soft-scales-trees-and-shrubs

"hard" scales: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/armored-hard-scale-trees-and-shrubs

For now, all we suggest is to trim out the browned branches. If the stress factor that caused the dieback was temporary and now resolved, the surrounding healthy growth should fill in that gap over time, since the foliage in that area now receives more light. As a general approach to protecting plant health overall, keep an eye on their watering needs as we move into summer (and autumn - we've had dry autumns recently too) and irrigate the root zones as needed. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs Conversely, if poor drainage is suspect, look to re-direct any excess water (like from a downspout) from flooding that area in the future.

Miri