Could anyone throw any light on the cause of dead laurel bushes? They are about 15ft tall and more so very established. The leaves and bark are a terrible black, withered colour and this has spread amongst the hedgerow which is about 70-80 meters in length.The dead are in clumps or isolated plants, so how this has occured and has spread is a mystery. I'd have guessed if it where a fungal or pest disease that the spreading would go through adjacent plants and not be scattered as it is.

I have cut out all of the dead ones and burned them, the problem was first spotted early in the new year 2010 and many plants have been destroyed and we fear the loss of the whole row. I cannot see any evidence of nearby properties having the problem with any of their shrubs/trees, let alone laurels.

Does anyone know what this could be and, if so, how to stop it?

Thanks

Terry.

Sound like a Fungal disease called shot hole, it spread with the wind and rain and could spread right through a hedge due to the nature that the plants and close together.

I would rake all fallan leaves and burn them, you can buy a fungal spray containing copper oxychloride which is surpose to be effective.

Hope this helps