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Old 13-01-2007, 08:21 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Russel Sprout Russel Sprout is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Aug 2006
Posts: 41
Default conifer hedge turning brown problem


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ups.com...
Hi,

I have a hedge made up of 5 conifers. I think they are leyland cypress
types.The hedge is around 20ft tall. I also have a tree in close
proximity to the hedge, and up until 2 years ago this was covering a
portion of the hedge. The tree was pruned 2 years ago and the hedge
when exposed showed a small brown area. Over 2 years this area has died
off but shows a few green leaves. Not knowing anything about gardening,
my reasoning was that the tree covered the hedge leaves and caused
this.

In november 2006 the hedge was pruned to remove the new growth, shorty
after this I noticed that there are some other brown patches appearing
nowhere near the tree. They are randomly scattered and are in the
middle of the hedge height wise.

I do not think drainage is a problem as from what I read this shows as
a problem with browning from the bottom. I have checked for red spiders
too, and don't think that is the issue.

Around 1 year ago I covered the area around the based of the conifers
with cobbles to prevent cats using the soft soil as a toilet. Its not
totally covered but the cobbles run in a row underneath and along the
hedge. Someone recently told me they once covered the base of a conifer
with pebbles and it killed it? Is there any reasoning behind this?

Any ideas or other suggestions as to reason for the browning?

Whoa some useful info' - another way to kill Leylandi. Probably a load of
cobblers 'though.