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Established shrubs dying in one area

russcnelsonrusscnelson Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Towards the end of last year a camellia that had been in the same position for 7-10 years lost all of its leaves and died. Adjacent to it was a Mahonia (established 20 years) that died this spring, quickly followed by a rockrose and an ornamental conifer of approx 10' tall (both established for approx 10 years). I now have a variegated holly in the same area that looks as though it is about to follow its neighbours. In each case the leaves turned brown and died. The root systems seem robust - no rotting. There is no sign of any pest, fungi or blotching of leaves. No chemical sprays have been used. The dead zone is roughly circular. I did start watering the holly in case it was lack of water but it still seems to be heading the same way. 
Any suggestions welcome!

Posts

  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Is there any way you can get the soil tested for contamination? 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Any spray drift from neighbours possible?
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Is it possible there is mole, vole tunnels  or ants nest undermining the roots? 
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Are you absolutely certain that it is not a fungal attack ?
    Your described symptoms sound horribly like Honey -root fungus . The roughly circular area you say the problem emanates from :- is there an old root-stump underground which has become infected and is hosting the fungus ?
    Normally only affecting woody plants , are any herbaceous perennials nearby showing signs of anything untoward ?
    I had a similar sounding problem in a garden I used to work in ; established trees and shrubs mysteriously succumbing to some unseen and unforewarned doom ; lost a very large Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' ; a mature Malus 'John Downie' and a 28 year old Pyrus amygdaliformis ,plus numerous others all in one summer ; absolutely horrendous.
    It transpired that Honey root fungus had infected an old elm-stump nearby , and was affecting an area roughly 5-yards from itself in a 'roughly circular' area .
    Food for thought maybe , good luck !
  • russcnelsonrusscnelson Posts: 2
    Thank you for your suggestions. I think that Paul is on to something with the Honey fungus - I lost a 100+ year old Walnut tree from Honey Fungus just over 2 years ago which was within 25' of the current problem. The herbaceous perennials are fine. There is no sign of the fungus above ground and the reason that I had discounted it was because I have a hedge of unaffected Laurel between the original location of the current dead zone. Maybe Laurel is just that much more immune? I have also just noticed that 2 other mature ornamental trees within the same radius but in different directions are looking decidedly unhealthy! Is there any sign I should be looking for on the roots that would confirm that it is honey fungus?
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    There is some information here.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    edited July 2018
    https://www.hortweek.com/pest-disease-management-honey-fungus/arboriculture/article/1105422

    Apologies for the delay ; just got home from work (yet another long hot day)!!!
    I'm not entirely sure which plants have a certain degree of resistance ; in addition to the above mentioned on my earlier post , a semi-mature weeping purple beech , large Viburnums , Berberis , Cytisus batandieri (large specimen) to name a few others .
    The Himalayan Birch (stunning white bark) seems to have withstood it , when I last visited .

    I believe there used to be a treatment available (Armillatox) I think ; probably for control , never a cure . Probably banned by our cousins in the EU .
    Read the above link , it may be of some help . Not sure how resistant Laurels may be .

    I hope for your plants sake we're all wrong . Good luck once again !!

    Ladybird4 ; that article from the Express is very interesting ; it's a horrible fungus for anyone to discover in their garden .
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    It is something that all gardeners don't even want to think about. The fact that the land is only going to be useful for resistant species is a nightmare - getting rid of the diseased plants etc etc. I really hope that is not the problem russ.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
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