Knowledgebase
Unhealthy skip laurel #880500
Asked August 07, 2024, 9:34 AM EDT
One of my skip laurel bushes is recently showing a number of brown and drooping leaves, of which I have trimmed some of the branches. I have uploaded a picture. Do you believe the condition of the skip laurel is due to recent hot weather or something else? How might I help it to recover? Thank you for any assistance you can provide.
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
It could be a number of factors affecting your skip laurel. You can refer to our diagnostic page for common cherry (and skip) laurel problems to see if you can notice any specifics in person.
Was it recently planted? If so were the roots loosened out of the container or the burlap removed from the balled root mass? Have you been irrigating through the dry weather last season and this season? Is the drainage in this immediate area not as good as the plants next to it?
You can prune out the dead or dying branches and see if that helps. It could also be a disease called Botryosphaeria canker which can be introduced and exacerbated in dry conditions. The link explains how it affects Rhododendron species but it can cause die back in many trees and shrubs. It can't be reverse but it you prune out the dead branches and then water as needed it can help prolong or rejuvenate plants.
If you notice anything specific feel free to send additional photos.
Emily
