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Unknown decay on unknown tree!

I have 6 of these trees in my garden, at some point in the last month or so they have developed lots of dying leaves/holes/scorching/dust on the leaves.
Almost like a cross between something eating them and the sun scorching them. But it doesn't much up with ones which are in shade or not, so perhaps a bug or a disease ? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Looks like Bay trees to me, Laurus Nobilis. Most likely stress from the dry weather. The area looks very densely planted, and it looks like too much competition around the base. Are there overhanging trees or tall shrubs nearby? These shrubs prefer to be in a more opened area.

    The shrubs become weakened due to this, and you tend to see leaf drop and damaged looking leaves. You may need to look into giving them all a good watering. The soil may be dry and there may be roots from nearby plants taking over too.
  • Thanks for the response.

    The 6 of them have different spaces. From fairly on their own to one being right up against the wall (hence small and weak looking, guessing lacking sunlight?).


    3 share the bed with creeping virginia plant and a few small plants (mini acers and a dogwood).

    Appreciate the comment about the heat at the moment, but this started before we had these mad heat waves. I shall up the watering nonetheless

    Hence I thought maybe some sort of disease ! Or the neat round holes leading to some sort of bug, but I can't see any. Very odd!
  • As for overhanging tree remark, no they dont. 5 of 6 trees in the garden have almost constant sun on them with a south facing garden. The 6th in right up against the house so doesnt do so well, hence is a little scrawny !

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
     Bay trees can sometimes suffer from a particular insect (bay tree scale sucker?). Are there any signs of sooty mould or thingies on the back of the leaves?

    They are also evergreens, which do get rid of their old dead leaves, that yellow and fall, usually around April time.  They can also grow very big, hence need an awful lot of water - I think, like other posters, there's too many, too close together which would cause them to be stressed.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Yes, google-ing that it certainly has similarities to the white dusty marks left by that pest.
    Best course of action if it is this? Certain spray?

    Understood. Its strange as they've been fine since last winter when we moved into the property. I have only added a few small plants. Maybe I just under estimate how much to water them !
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    We've had extremes of weather this year, so most plants are stressed and confused.
    I don't think spraying your trees is going to help much I'm afraid. I once had a bay tree ball in a pot with that pest but was able to rub each leaf reverse with either white spirt or meths (can't quite remember, it was a long time ago!). A very finicky job. Trees would be impossible, you may just have to live with it.
    As for watering, each tree might need a bucketful of water at least once or twice a week during hot weather, otherwise you could use a seep hose around the bases for a couple of hours.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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