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Privet hedge dying back

mccormackmarkmccormackmark Posts: 5
in Problem solving
My privet hedge is dying back but only in some places, adjacent healthy bushes seem unaffected and there is no indication of spread to other adjacent and neighboring privet hedgerows. The onset was characterised by leaves rapidly turning brown and no spring growth off affected stems the following year. When decay is advanced (2 years) the stems rot at ground level and are easy to pull out/break off. There is no obvious or pronounced fungal aroma and the bark and root remains are not bioluminescent. Is this Honey Fungus or could it be something else, is the hedge simply dying of old age, it is at least 50 years old, probably 70? The affected hedge borders a major road and is often subjected to road spray, could this be a chemical attack from overspray?

Posts

  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    Are them black root like feature on the last picture growing under the bark ?

    If so you have honey fungus , no cure you'll probably lose the entire hedge replace with something resistant or a fence . Don't woodchip it either ( burn it / council waste ) or spread the soil to rear garden etc. 
  • mccormackmarkmccormackmark Posts: 5
    No they are what is left of the old root structure.
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    Looks like its creeping under the bark to me, if you've still got the stem peel the bark away.  I'd put money on it that its honey fungus . Honey fungus and phytoprthphora root rot are really the only thing I can think off that will take a privet out , they really strong plants otherwise.  
  • mccormackmarkmccormackmark Posts: 5
    Many thanks for the feedback, very much appreciated. if I remove the whole front section, remove the affected soil and replace with new top soil would a new privet in the same spot work; how far down would I need to go?
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    I wouldn't go down that route you'll be throwing away your money doing that and it very unlikely you'll get rid of it. Remove the privets and replace with Buxus - Yew - pitosporum or griselinia  they are others just google honey fungus resistant plants but Bux and yew are the finest evergreen hedges you can get normally used for topiary . 
  • mccormackmarkmccormackmark Posts: 5
    Once again many thanks, your advice has been excellent!
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