Cherry Hedges - Knowledgebase Question

Grand Prairie, Te
Avatar for corkmiller
Question by corkmiller
September 22, 2009
MY Cherry Hedges are a year old and several months ago about half of the leaves on all 3 plants turned to a bright gold color as if they were getting too much sunlight or not enough water. The shrubs have continued growing but the discoloration of the leaves bother me. Is this normal, or what am I doing wrong? Thanks!


Image
Answer from NGA
September 22, 2009
It sounds to me as though you are doing everything right and the symptoms you describe do not fit the usual problems experienced by cherry laurels, or the usual suspects. Yellowing leaves can indicate insect feeding or root problems. But there is a leaf spot fungi that can defoliate a cherry laurel. However, it causes red spots on the leaves of cherry laurel shrubs about the time new leaves become full-sized. New spots continue to develop over the summer. They gradually merge and rot out, leaving holes in the foliage. Heavily infected leaves turn yellow or brown and fall prematurely. Cool, moist spring weather encourages this disease when new leaves are developing. It is sometimes a minor problem in cherry laurel. Shake out all fallen and diseased leaves from the shrub and destroy them. Remove all dead branches in the center of the shrub to allow better aeration. Mulching helps prevent the disease spores from splashing up from the ground and infecting plants. Leaf spot rarely is severe. However, if it causes a shrub to become unsightly, spray at weekly to 10-day intervals with sulfur or Bordeaux mixture or other copper fungicide, starting when the blossom petals fall. If this doesn't see to fit the problem you might want to take a few specimen leaves to your local cooperative extension office for diagnosis. (find them in the white pages of your phone book under "County" offices). Best wishes with your cherry laurels.

You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. Click here to join!

« Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage

Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by rocklady and is called "Beautyberries"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.