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Privet hedge is dying for unknown reason

gardenersworldztPIREGQgardenersworldztPIREGQ Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi,

Part of my privet hedge seems to have died:



On reading up on privet hedges dying, I have found that the most common causes are either honey fungus, wilt, or spider mites. I cannot see any signs of spider mites nor can I see any signs of bootlaces so my suspicion is wilt. Is anyone able to confirm this?

I peeled some of the bark away from the trunk from the part which is dead (the bark looks a lot flakier than the bark on the rest of the hedge (which is smooth) - is it dead?) and this is what it looks like:



I dug up some of the soil around the base to expose the roots to see what they looked like:



Something to note is the section that died seemed to put energy into flowering rather than growth - this was the only section of the hedge that flowered, but there wasn't any new growth and it didn't need trimming whereas the rest of the hedge did.

Any suggestions what to do here? Is this whole section dead and should I cut it out? Do I do this now while the weather is still dry or do I need to wait for the winter when it isn't growing? Will the rest the hedge shoot from the side to fill the gap?

The trunk on the right is the bit that would end up getting cut out:



Thanks in advanced

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited September 2020
    Is it just the growth from that one thick branch that has died? If so, I would be inclined to saw it off at the base. If the roots are still alive you might get some regrowth, but probably not much until spring.
    You might want to think about pulling out the ivy as well. I don't think it's responsible for the demise of the privet, but it will be competing for water and nutrients.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • gardenersworldztPIREGQgardenersworldztPIREGQ Posts: 2
    Hi Jenny, thank you for responding.

    Yes, you're right, it's just the growth from that think trunk on the right in the last picture which appears to have died.

    Sawing it off is definitely an option which I am considering. I'm not sure what will happen with the large gap it will leave though e.g. if the branches on the left will shoot side ways or if I'll just be left with a bare left hand side of the hedge. I'm also not sure if it's best to cut it back now while the weather is dry and there is less chance of infection or if I should do it in the winter when it's less active.

    Another option I was considering was leaving it until spring to see if any of it comes back to life - this would solve my gap problem, but I think it is probably dead and this is just wishful thinking.

    I will get rid of that ivy. Thank you
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    You could leave it until spring if you like. It's a choice between the dead stuff or the gap. 
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • firtrees20cQW4UARFfirtrees20cQW4UARF Posts: 1
    If you have very recently trimmed the hedge it may have gone into shock. Mine did but after two weeks new buds began to appear. On my golden privet  it continually sheds and regrows leaves no idea why.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Privet isn't easily shocked  ;)
    All evergreens, or semi evergreens [which privet is] shed foliage and grow new stuff. Weather is also a factor, so excess heat will cause more leaf drop, in the same way that excess cold does.

    Water is what they need a lot of, so I'd be inclined to agree with @JennyJ. It's worth giving it a really thorough watering and mulching too. Nothing to lose. :)
    If it's honey fungus it will spread anyway I'm afraid. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Dying shrubs like privet will often put their last gasp into flowering.  I can't see any evidence of Honey Fungus (which is often the cause of dying privet hedges) so the rest of the hedge is probably safe and just this one plant has died.  If there is no sign of new growth anywhere along branches coming from that set of roots then I would dig it out.  The extra light will allow the privet next to it to grow into the space and you'll likely need to trim part of that back to promote bushy growth low down.  Alternatively, after removing the dead one you could improve the soil by adding well-rotted manure etc. and then plant a new one to fill the gap (privet plants are only a couple of pounds each.)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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