Why is a corner of the garden is dying?

Hi
We have lived in this house for 7 years and this corner has always thrived. About 8 months ago we noticed that the laurel trees we had planted had started to die. Then the plants surrounding it. We have left it and not planted anything in the hopes that we can dig all the old out and start again. We went away for a couple of weeks and weeds had started to grow but now we've come back and the weeds are withering too. We wondered about honey fungus but I'm now starting to wonder whether there has been a spillage or something else that is causing the issue. Any ideas?

 

Spiteful or careless neighbours wielding a bottle of weed killer?

 

Gosh, things are definitely not right in that corner. I think, as we are late-ish in the growing season now, I would be inclined to clear away the dead stuff and leave it till next spring before thinking of planting anything.

 

It's possible that it's the big tree casting shade and taking all the moisture from the soil., or maybe a spillage has leached in from a neighbouring garden/garage, or weedkiller spray drift if someone is regularly treating weeds in a neighbouring garden.

It's also possible that something has been deliberately applied over the fence, maybe trying to kill weeds if they think the seeds are spreading, or even trying to kill the tree if it shades out part of their garden, but it seems odd that such a thing should suddenly happen without there having been a polite request or a discussion first.

 

I would be inclined to blame it on the tree taking moisture from the soil. The weather has been so crazy this last couple of years that I'm beginning to think that the usual rules don't apply any more.

Personally I would clear the area as suggested by @ViewAhead, maybe cover it with bark or somesuch and then monitor the area for the next few months.
I'm assuming your neighbours aren't the type to arbitrarily apply weedkiller to your property.