Hedge / Desease ID

Hello,

The hedge at the front of our house is dying :( A couple seemed to die last year, we left it hoping it would grow back but it has now spread to about 5 plants)



Saying that, it is known to have been here for at least 55 years (when the family 1st moved in)

I don't even know what type of hedge it is, as a kid i only knew it as caterpillar hedge as it was full of them

So from the images attached, what type of hedge is this? (in case we decide to replace) and whats killing it?

As an extra question, the dead part is getting close to the neighbours hedge (normal privet). Is it likely to spread to that unless we pull it out quickly?

 

@pete your wanted

 

Hello @SlimboyFat to GC and nice to have you with us

I'm no expert on this sorry but I've just asked a member to come in and help and thank yu for adding the pictures as it helps members

P.S Like the family crest Avatar

 

I've been looking at pic's for you and it could be a popular hedge as it's very similar to this one and hopefully members who know these plants will come on soon

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Thanks @Gail_68 for the warm welcome.

The crest is actually for the local town of Rotherham. With the news from the last few years someone has to stand to it's not all bad...

 

Your welcome mate and we also have very knowledgeable members for ID but I think it's a popular but don't go by my say so but the infection to it does look like Powdery mildew...this link explains a fair bit also

http://www.hedgesblog.co.uk/popular-pests-and-diseases-to-look-out-for#.W3sWuvZFzIU

 

Welcome to the forums.
Your hedge is Euonymus ..maybe Euonymus japonicus.
I know exactly what you mean about the caterpillars.

Minden Pictures stock photos - European Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) tree covered by communal web of Spindle Ermine (Yponomeuta cagnagella) caterpilla...

euonymus caterpillars - Google Search

I cannot be sure what is killing it.
It doesn't look very promising.
There are several nasty diseases killing plants just now.
It may be Phytophthora
It may be safer to dig up and burn the dead plants.

Gail I think you were thinking of Prunus laurocerasus..cherry laurel...but it is not that. Nor is it Powdery mildew.

prunus laurocerasus hedge - Google Search

 

Welcome to the forum @SlimboyFat .
You seem to have a bad case of euonymus scale. It seems to be rampant this year. I have lost some of my euonymus with it.
It is difficult to deal with, and so I have taken all of my affected plants out for the bonfire.
You can look up the problem on google.

 

Oops @Silver surfer - we crossed there

 

Hello Silver surfer I try my best mate but I tell them i'm not sure but thank you for coming on and saving the day

 

Thanks all,

Seems like a remove and replace is the best idea.

Just been out for another look and although a google search suggests that they go for the leaves ours have a "powdering" on the leaves but absolutely covered on the branches ???

Next question is how tough are 50+ year old hedges to take out?

Thanks again.

 

It's Powdery mildew mate and members who have answered previously will tell you the best way to remove it... this ways quicker

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Gail it is not powdery mildew, it is euonymus scale

 

Hiya SlimboyFat. Welcome to the forum

Just caught up with this thread.

The hedge is certainly past "redemption" and best removed in its entirety asap. My first thought was phytophthora but agree scale is present.

Hard to tell how difficult it will be to remove an old hedge .....sometimes an old shrub is easier to dig out than a younger one so dont let this deter you......but I have removed many, many large and very large shrubs, even trees. Probably make this an autumn and winter job but you will get there.

Then replenish the soil with as much compost as possible and replant with something completely different.

Good luck SlimboyFat

 

Ha, I did suggest a low cost version of this using a ratchet strap and a vauxhall astra

Problem is the garden is higher than the road with the hedges behind a retaining wall. We are likely to pull the wall with it :(

Current plan (likely to change) is removal by "Brother and long sharp spade", this worked well last year in the back garden and only cost us a bottle of Jack Daniels labour costs .

Replace with fence. Easier to keep trim and mow up to...

Thanks everyone for the knowledge and tips, much appreciated...