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Privet Hedge
gullermanden
Posts: 2
Hi, I'm hoping you can help me identify the problem with my privet hedge. Could it be a fungus and if so can it be treated? I've dug up a hedge plant but can't see any evidence of honey fungus. I replaced a couple of the privets over a year ago. They initially did well but now have some yellow leaves on them too. I've attached a few photos and would be very grateful if you could advise me.
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Posts
honey fungus can kill privet.
Not saying it is, but kinda looks like it
oh dear.....
Hi Gullermanden, we have a similar problem on one side of our garden, a 1-2m patch of long established but apparently dying privet-until recently I thought it was our neighbour's hedge so I underplanted with some small privets when we moved in, as a backup in case it died completely...but recently I found out it was our hedge so looks like it's on me to fix it
. I cut a couple of feet off last month to see if I can regenerate it. I may cut it harder still once my new privets are taller. I've read that it can regenerate from hard cutting back/down?
I too am worried about the dreaded honey fungus, however - we had a thuja in my front garden hedge die 2 years ago and after sending roots to Wisley they confirmed honey fungus even though I couldn't see direct signs of it. I expected the rest to go too but 2 years on its fine - I did soak the soil with Jeyes and added some nutrients and mulch along the hedge so it's possible there's life after honey fungus. Also, my local tree surgeon's unconvinced on the honey fungus diagnosis from Wisley as the rest of the hedge is good
Watching the post / advice with interest...
Thank you 8000wildflowers. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to use Jeyes on the soil. Too close to a very nice apple tree which doesn't seem to be affected. I'll get rid of the dead plants, trim the tops and do some replanting with plenty of mulch and feed. Hopefully it'll do the trick. Wish me luck...
The photos show zero evidence of Honey Fungus, Armillaria mellens and related species. The leaves look very healthy. I have a privet hedge. It had no leaves in winter. It looks otherwise like yours. if you have honey fungus, which I doubt, you will see mushrooms in august, they will be brittle, and in clumps.
Good luck Gullermanden. I'm also planning a liquid feed on mine when it warms up and it starts actively growing. This usually helps to green up a yellowing hedge.
O and p.s. - check for nests before you trim the main hedge, I trimmed mine just before the nesting season as I know the sparrows and blackbirds like to nest in there.
Good point and I think it is illegal to disturb nesting birds by for example hedge trimming. Wait till the summer.