Disease or pest on large laurel shrub

9 years ago

I have a very large laurel hedge in my backyard in Seattle, WA. Last night I was surprised to see that some kind of pest or disease has damaged it (see photos). Some parts of the damage look like shothole, some parts look like pests eating the edges, and other areas almost looked burned.

We don't go in the backyard very often so I can't say for sure how long the problem has been going on.

We've only lived here for 9 months and the shrub was healthy all through last summer. We haven't paid this hedge any special attention other than a trim last summer.

The hedge is very large (2x the size of what is shown in the picture). The "blight" is covering about 40% of the hedge, mostly isolated to the part shown, but sprinkled throughout the rest of the hedge, on both sides.

Any ideas on what is happening with the shrub, if it's a big deal, and how to cure it?

Thank you!

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Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
With English laurel in the Seattle area, not a big deal at all. These are extremely robust plants in our climate - you see them everywhere - and even borderline invasive unless kept from setting flowers and fruit (which most sheared hedges manage to accomplish).

The papery looking damage looks to be either mechanical or perhaps some cold burn. But not likely to be a disease. Straight English laurel (the species) is not as inclined to shot hole as some of the selected cultivars and I see no sign of it in your photos. Root weevils do like to nibble on the edges of the foliage but they are cosmetic only and not worth the continued effort and trouble to bother with control.

If you dislike the look of the damaged foliage, just cut it out (individual shoots - don't shear). The shrub grows so rapidly it will quickly fill in any holes or if you just leave it alone, new growth will rapidly hide the damaged foliage.
Jennifer Floyd thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Embothrium
9 years ago
This may be a similar example.

http://www.science.oregonstate.edu/bpp/Plant_Clinic/images/laurel,%20englishcherry_shot%20hole.htm
Jennifer Floyd thanked Embothrium
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