Schip laurel damage question

Question: Hello - We planted schip laurels in our yard about a month ago. Even though I water them often, some parts seemed like they were too dry. I tried to water them more but have started noticing leaves that look like they've been eaten or have missing parts so I think the problem is something other than water. I have included pictures below. If you have any idea what is wrong and how I can address it, I would really appreciate it! I would prefer the most natural approach possible (if there is more than one option). Thank you!

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied March 24, 2023, 4:18 PM EDT
response: This type of leaf damage was caused by environmental factors (also called abiotic, meaning a living organism was not responsible). So, fortunately, no treatment is needed. Unfortunately, the leaves that have been damaged cannot heal, so will shed and, if the stem remains alive, will have to be replaced by the plant. As to the cause, soil moisture likely played a large role, since evergreens like these are prone to "winterburn" when the weather slows water absorption while moisture within the leaf is evaporating faster than it can be replaced. This often happens in cold conditions when we have wind, or sometimes when the soil remains cold after a recent freeze but the air temperature rises quickly to very mild conditions, speeding-up water loss while the roots can't keep up.  Although this type of damage is usually just cosmetic and not a serious threat to long-term plant health, it might be more consequential for new plants whose roots are not yet established. It's hard for us to tell if the roots were accidentally over- or under-watered, or if neither scenario was responsible and weather alone caused the damage. (Over-watering can cause nearly-identical damage to under-watering because the saturated roots become stressed from oxygen depravation and may die back, meaning they can't function well enough to absorb the moisture the plant needs, no matter how abundant it may be in the soil at the time.) Plants with root loss either need time to regrow replacement roots or might not recover well, but time will tell and there isn't anything that can be done to remedy this after the fact. Here, some areas of damage look more extensive than others, and the stems bearing completely bleached/brittle leaves might have died back some while the stems with leaves only singed on the tips are probably fine. You can trim out any stems that don't produce new leaves as we move into spring.  When the plants were installed, were the roots loosened (if grown in a container) or the burlap removed (if sold balled & burlapped / b&b)? If not, this can slow establishment and make it easier to over- or under-water during this period.  As for the other type of leaf damage, the "missing parts," this could be from either a very common disease called Cherry Shot Hole, or from wildlife. Shot hole creates round to irregular holes in foliage that look like insect chewing, because as the leaf tissues die from infection, that part of the leaf dries out and crumbles away, leaving holes or jagged sections missing from the leaf edges. Cherrylaurel is quite vulnerable to shot hole but fortunately it isn't a serious threat to plant health in most cases, and looks very minor here. If you can avoid wetting the shrub's leaves when irrigating, this will minimize the chances of recurring infection.  Deer can consume evergreen foliage when they have limited options before winter-dormant plants leaf back out again, even if it's a type of plant they usually leave alone. They are also known for taste-testing any new planting, even if otherwise unpalatable. Deer damage creates torn-off leaves or leaf stubs, which might be what happened here, though it's hard for us to tell for certain from the photos. Either the deer learn that this is not a plant they want to keep eating or they can be discouraged with deer repellent sprays; usually we don't see them eating Cherrylaurel with any regularity, so this might be a temporary problem if deer visit the yard. (If you don't see them, it might be overnight.)  For now, just continue to monitor the plants for watering needs. Since the soil remains cool longer than air temperatures do, they probably won't need watering very often for the time being unless we see a couple weeks without rain. Feel the soil around six inches deep in or next to the root zone. If damp to the touch at that depth, watering probably isn't needed. If drying somewhat, then a thorough watering may be beneficial. Make sure any mulch used isn't piled-up against the stem bases, and expect that some leaf drop of the damaged leaves may occur at some point in the next few weeks as the plants get ready to send out new growth.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 24, 2023, 5:13 PM EDT
response: Dear Miri, Thank you so much for such a thoughtful analysis of what might be happening to the Cherry Laurels. My hunch is that the guys who planted them did not loosen the roots. They planted a Green Giant for us and did not remove any of the burlap. Luckily, there was a bare spot of soil so I saw what happened, and we were able to fix it. Unfortunately, that is not the case for the Cherry Laurels. I will be more careful watering and follow your instructions to check the soil. I have already sprayed the trees to deter deer. Moving forward, I will be careful not to water the leaves.Thanks again and have a great weekend!SandraOn Fri, Mar 24, 2023 at 4:18 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied March 24, 2023, 5:43 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!