hedge prob

hello i wonder if anyone can help me i have a box hedge in my garden it is about twenty years old. two years ago i cut all the dead wood out of it since then it hasnt grown back as expected the leafs on the hedge seem to be going black and the hedge seems to be dying the leafs go yellow and then a white fungi seems to appear in the middle of the leaf then the leaf goes black is there anything i could do to prevent this happening. or shall i rip the hedge out and start again my neighbours hedge seems to be going the same way, has anyone got any suggestions? :rolleyes:

 

There is a relatively new disease which attacks Box. Can't tell you what it is called but I think it is incurable, some kind of fungus I think.
pete2255

 

thankyou it sounds as if i will have to start all over again

 

Holly
I think if you start again with box you may find the same problem occurs. It seems to have established in your area and it could be some time before its safe to plant box again.
pete2255

 

pete2255
could i change the soil? would this enable me start again?
holly

 

Holly
I've found an artical in the R H S journal May 2003. Box blight (cylindrocladium buxicola). Basically it says:- 'brown spots on leaves which fall rapidly, black streaks on small stems.
Can survive for more than a year in the soil
Fungicide containing penconazole (scotts fungus clear) may have some effect.'
Presumably you would have to treat your neighbours hedge also and probably more than once. Depends on the size of the hedges as to wether its practical or not.

pete2255