Schip Cherry Laurels dying off.

Question: Hello,
Some of our laurels are dying off. I'm afraid that it may be from drought stress from not enough water. I realized last week that the soil under them was arid. I'm not sure that it isn't disease either. I've had some wilting then die branches randomly over the years.  I've attached some pictures.

responder: I hope this helps.  Replied July 08, 2024, 2:41 PM EDT
response: Hello Jeff, Tell me more about your skip Cherry Laurel.  It appears it is growing in direct sun. How much sun does it get every day? I can't see from the photo if the dying portion is a branch or the entire shrub.  When you noticed it wilting, did you water it? What is the ground conditions of the other laurels to the left and right? Are they wilting as well?  Can you take more photos and send close ups?  Are you seeing anything that looks like fungal spots or other noticeable marks on the leaves (check the back of the leaves as well) or stems and branches?  Look closely to the branches. Do you see any damage to the stems on the bottom side?  I saw Cicada damage on a limb tip earlier today that was not noticed by the home owner. I showed the homeowner the damage to one of their foundation plants next to their home that looks similar to what is pictured in you photos you provided. r/mart

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 09, 2024, 7:45 AM EDT
response: Good morning,They are in direct morning sun until about noon, then mainly shade.  I have noticed some wilting of individual branches over the years, but not to this extent or die off like this. I've always just cut them out. I'm not sure what to look for as far as fungal spots. I see tiny black spots on the backs of the leaves. I took some close ups of those.  I did not see any Cicadas around the shrub area.  Here are more pictures. I've also included one from down the row that is beginning to show some stress as well.  We are so sad to see these dying. I worked so hard 4 years ago to install these for a hedge and now it looks like we will loose them.  I have put about 50 gallons of drip irrigation on these in that last week as soon as I realized they were so dry. I'm not sure if I should water more.   Thanks, Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes  (o)<personal data hidden> (f)<personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com  AccreditedBuilder  (January '14)     nchba.org Certified Green Professional (September '14) Master Certified Green Professional  (October '16) nahb.org      On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 2:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: I hope this helps.  Replied July 09, 2024, 8:41 PM EDT
response: First, keep wAtering them. I think it prudent for me to make a home visit.  I see what appears to be a canker which suggest pathogen. I can take a physical sample to  the NCSU plant, disease and insect clinic for analysis there is a $20 fee if you choose this route. You pay the lab after they provide a diagnosis  i am the crops and hort extension agent forOrange County nc.  If you decide you want me to conduct a home visit, call me during the work day on my cell to set up an appointment. .  My cell is 804-3-8-7493.  R/mart

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2024, 7:52 AM EDT
response: Good morning. Just checking to see if you received our response? Thanks, Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes  (o)<personal data hidden> (f)<personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com  AccreditedBuilder  (January '14)     nchba.org Certified Green Professional (September '14) Master Certified Green Professional  (October '16) nahb.org     On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 2:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2024, 9:21 AM EDT
response: Hi Mart,I did not see this earlier.  I tried calling your cell but I think there is a number missing.  Can you please send that again? Thanks, Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes  (o)<personal data hidden> (f)<personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com  AccreditedBuilder  (January '14)     nchba.org Certified Green Professional (September '14) Master Certified Green Professional  (October '16) nahb.org      On Tue, Jul 9, 2024 at 8:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 14, 2024, 1:14 PM EDT
response: Hey Mart,Thanks again for coming out to look at the laurels. We got about 2" of rain and I watered them with another 15 gallons or so, so they should be happy. They are still showing stress with further weakening branches. Hoping that goes away soon.  I found at the base of the first shrub to die bore holes and I took pictures (attached) hoping they are not Greater Peachborer. It appears there might have been some sort of paint applied if that is not natural and maybe that was something that happened at the nursery.  Please let me know your thoughts.  Thanks, Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes  (o)<personal data hidden> (f)<personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com  AccreditedBuilder  (January '14)     nchba.org Certified Green Professional (September '14) Master Certified Green Professional  (October '16) nahb.org      On Tue, Jul 9, 2024 at 8:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 14, 2024, 1:14 PM EDT
response: Hey Mart,Thanks again for coming out to look at the laurels. We got about 2" of rain and I watered them with another 15 gallons or so, so they should be happy. They are still showing stress with further weakening branches. Hoping that goes away soon.  I found at the base of the first shrub to die bore holes and I took pictures (attached) hoping they are not Greater Peachborer. It appears there might have been some sort of paint applied if that is not natural and maybe that was something that happened at the nursery.  Please let me know your thoughts.  Thanks, Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes  (o)<personal data hidden> (f)<personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com  AccreditedBuilder  (January '14)     nchba.org Certified Green Professional (September '14) Master Certified Green Professional  (October '16) nahb.org      On Tue, Jul 9, 2024 at 8:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: I hope this helps.  Replied July 15, 2024, 1:50 PM EDT
response: Hello Jeff, Did you want me to take the trunk into the lab for analysis?  The black color could be a fungus. I do not think it is paint.  I did read Cherry Laurels under stress are susceptible to borers.  Have you found any other bore holes?  Not sure there is much you can do for treatment.  Here are two articles I found about the borers. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/american-plum-borer-in-ornamentals https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/greater-peachtree-borer If you want me to submit the sample to the lab, there is a $20 fee associated with the submission.  You pay after they provide results directly to the lab.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 15, 2024, 2:01 PM EDT
response: Hey Mart, I dropped a few branches and that trunk sample at pathology this morning. Hoping to hear back soon.  Thanks,  Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes   (o) <personal data hidden> (f) <personal data hidden> (m) <personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com   On Jul 15, 2024, at 1:50 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 17, 2024, 8:02 AM EDT
response: Hey Mart,Do you know about how long it takes for pathology to come back? I dropped those off Monday am.  They are still showing wilting leaves and die back.  Thanks, Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes  (o)<personal data hidden> (f)<personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com  AccreditedBuilder  (January '14)     nchba.org Certified Green Professional (September '14) Master Certified Green Professional  (October '16) nahb.org      On Mon, Jul 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM Jeff Easterling <<personal data hidden>> wrote:  Hey Mart, I dropped a few branches and that trunk sample at pathology this morning. Hoping to hear back soon.  Thanks,  Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes  (o) <personal data hidden> (f) <personal data hidden> (m) <personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com   On Jul 15, 2024, at 1:50 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: I hope this helps.  Replied July 17, 2024, 12:23 PM EDT
response: Which pathology lab did you take it to?  NCSU Plants, Disease, and Insect Clinic usually turn it around in about 3 days.   r/Mart

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 17, 2024, 12:44 PM EDT
response: Yes. There in the basement. Good folks.  Thanks,  Jeffrey T EasterlingEasterling Fine Homes   (o) <personal data hidden> (f) <personal data hidden> (m) <personal data hidden>  easterlingfinehomes.com   On Jul 17, 2024, at 12:24 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿