Sad cherry laurel - Ask Extension
Hi, can you tell me what might be causing the brown leaves? We have the same bush on the other side and it looks fine.
Thanks,
Janet
Knowledgebase
Sad cherry laurel #874092
Asked June 21, 2024, 2:31 PM EDT
Hi, can you tell me what might be causing the brown leaves? We have the same bush on the other side and it looks fine.
Thanks,
Janet
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Janet,
It's hard to diagnose from the symptoms alone, since there can be lots of overlap with off-color and dying foliage from causes like over-watering (or poor drainage in compacted soil), under-watering / drought stress, root injury, stem injury (like vole damage), and wood-boring insect larvae. Unfortunately, given the extent of the symptoms pictured, we suspect the shrub is not be salvageable and would need to be replaced.
You can use the information on our cherry laurel diagnostic page to determine if any of the ailments it lists are likely the culprit in this case. Our guess would be either a soil moisture issue or physical damage from voles or a borer to the base of the main stems. Soil moisture retention and drainage can differ in surprisingly close quarters, so the fact that the other shrub is faring well with the same care doesn't necessarily mean that too much or too little water isn't involved for this individual. Plant water stress, for example, can make it a target for borers.
Miri
It's hard to diagnose from the symptoms alone, since there can be lots of overlap with off-color and dying foliage from causes like over-watering (or poor drainage in compacted soil), under-watering / drought stress, root injury, stem injury (like vole damage), and wood-boring insect larvae. Unfortunately, given the extent of the symptoms pictured, we suspect the shrub is not be salvageable and would need to be replaced.
You can use the information on our cherry laurel diagnostic page to determine if any of the ailments it lists are likely the culprit in this case. Our guess would be either a soil moisture issue or physical damage from voles or a borer to the base of the main stems. Soil moisture retention and drainage can differ in surprisingly close quarters, so the fact that the other shrub is faring well with the same care doesn't necessarily mean that too much or too little water isn't involved for this individual. Plant water stress, for example, can make it a target for borers.
Miri
Dear Miri,
Thanks for your reply- definitely not overwatering, it’s pretty baked. I’ll check the diagnostic page.
Janet
Janet
On Jun 21, 2024, at 4:08 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
You're welcome.
