Help please Leylandii castlewellan brown patches?

[shei111]

Hello Weve got a 10 foot high 3 foot wide thick castlewellan leylandii hedge at least 27 foot long, weve noticed this year that it has some very dead looking brown patches on it its not all over the hedge but we have about 5 foot long so far half way up. Its not in the shade and has been kept well trimmed over the years can some one throw some ligh on the problem please, could it be aphids ? thanks alot sheila

[Kayleigh]

Hi Sheila,
Could it be wind scorch, winter damage maybe..

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Hi Sheila,
Could it be wind scorch, winter damage maybe..

Hello Kayleigh well it could be we havent a clue really I just went up top of garden and felt it between my fingers and it just crumbles away bit of a worry, never mind perhaps other members know what it could be thanks anyway for your reply sheila

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by shei111

Hello Kayleigh well it could be we havent a clue really I just went up top of garden and felt it between my fingers and it just crumbles away bit of a worry, never mind perhaps other members know what it could be thanks anyway for your reply sheila

This is a problem that seems to have come into prominence over the last year or so. I have it in some conifers in my garden, the guy next door has just taken down a couple that had just got worse and worse.

In all cases, I can find at least one cause of stress. The worst of my conifers is the one in a line that is in very dry ground (virtually under the porch (Porsche?)), the ones next door have outgrown the tubs they are in, and when we dug them out (I bash things and look after his computer, he cuts the shared lawn), they had Vine Weevil problems, not many but some.

None of these problems are likely to cause the damage that has been apparent, but I have been told that there is some beastie (can't be more accurate) that is very difficult to see that is causing this damage.

Not much help, sorry. Dig it up and plant something more interesting.

[Seajay]

Have you only just noticed it or was it there last year? A very bad infestation of red spider or conifer aphid could cause the damage but I doubt if either are around in any great numbers at the moment. Another possibility could be one of the cankers. They can run some distance up the side of the trunk and any branches contained in the area will be affected. You will need to have a close look. Insects can be controlled and canker is unlikely to kill a leylandii tree.
It is a shame as Castlewellan Gold makes a beautiful hedge if looked after and contrary to popular opinion is excellent for wildlife. I have one kept to 6ft and clipped to a wedge shape. It is like a marquee for birds in winter giving warmth and protection as well as insects.

Colin

[therealbobbo]

Has it been cut back too far,some cypresses dont grow back,if they're cut back,past geen growth!

[shei111]

Thanks so much for replies I will go and check it out for canker aphids this morning. yes its a beautiful hedge its very neat and its been well looked after before we moved here I was told it was trimmed may and september every year its never had to be cut drastically because of its twice yearly trims, an as you say its a haven for wildlife,its a back garden boundty so I definately dont want to lose it. thanks so much, Im still open to more suggestions if anyone has them sheila

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Seajay

Have you only just noticed it or was it there last year? A very bad infestation of red spider or conifer aphid could cause the damage but I doubt if either are around in any great numbers at the moment. Another possibility could be one of the cankers. They can run some distance up the side of the trunk and any branches contained in the area will be affected. You will need to have a close look. Insects can be controlled and canker is unlikely to kill a leylandii tree.
It is a shame as Castlewellan Gold makes a beautiful hedge if looked after and contrary to popular opinion is excellent for wildlife. I have one kept to 6ft and clipped to a wedge shape. It is like a marquee for birds in winter giving warmth and protection as well as insects.

Colin

Hello colin we have given the hedge a good medical with a magnifying glass cant seem to find any creepy crawlies of any sort. We first noticed the hedge going brown january this year. As ive said its a very mature hedge always been well maintained both sides and top I wouldnt have thought by the looks of it that its ever had a drastic cut back , we did wonder whether it is possibly dry at the roots ? because as you know with a very thick hedge it can still be very dry even after torrential downpours ? sheila

[Kayleigh]

Hi Sheila, you could try a feed. I don't know what else to do. You seem a better gardener than me anyway.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Hi Sheila, you could try a feed. I don't know what else to do. You seem a better gardener than me anyway.

Hello kayleigh I did give them a good soaking tonight with hose , I will do that every night for a month to see if that helps, it may be too late for the first lot with brown patches , but if it is water shortage I should be able to save the other 20 odd feet from going brown See how it goes from there thanks alot sheila