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What is my hedge and why is it dying?
d4yal
Posts: 4
Hello,
I have inherited a nice hedge that has been going brown and dying steadily from one side to the other over about 3 years. I had thought it might be lack of water, but it seems more serious then that.
I would like to know what the hedge is, what the issue is and any advice on how to remedy the problem, or is it beyond repair?
The hedge is about 10ft high and approx 30ft wide
Many thanks in advance
pictures below;
thank you
0
Posts
It looks like a type of conifer. Now I'm not an expert and am only speaking from experience, but they don't like some climates (eg sea air and wind!) We had one (conifer hedge) when we moved into our house, very similar to yours and it was dying. We cut the whole lot down and now have a lovely border
Luckily though, there were already fence panels up behind the tress and the next door neighbours were very happy to see them go, it may not be the case with you.
As far as I know, once they start dying there isn't much you can do to revive them......again I may be wrong and someone more knowledgeable may correct me
It looks like one of the conifers but I couldn't tell you which without a smell.
These do not regrow if they are trimmed back into brown wood so you must always leave some green foliage on the plants when pruning. brown patches may also result form growing conditions - too dry, too wet, etc. They can also be caused by aphids or fungae and there is also a disease going round which is killing these hedges and turning them brown.
Here is what the RHS has to say - http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=132 Hope it helps.
I think I have seen this in other people's gardens and sadly I have never seen it come back green. Some leave it as it is since it still provides a screen. You could grow climbers such as clematis to make it look better. However digging it out may be you best option.
It's hard work digging it up but in my case was worth it, I gained so much more space in the garden
D4yal that's a Cedar but why its dying I have no idea.
Bill
thanks for the responses all, much appreciated. RHS states a number of possibilities, including lack of water and conifer aphids. I'll probably end up removing the hedge though as I can't see myself being able to spray such a large hedge.
Once die back happens there is nothing you can do to save the hedge, sorry. Sometimes it happens for no reason at all. Dig it up probably mechanically and plant something different. You'll have to replenish the soil with considerable amounts of farmyard manure and fish bone and blood to give anything you plant in it's place a good start. Add bonemeal to any planting hole when replanting.
thank you all very much, I'll get my shovel.