Dying Ligustrum?

dtr

We have a ligustrum that has been in the ground about 14 years and this summer it appears to be dying. Leaves are turning brown on several of the branches. I prune them and then others start to turn brown. I am running out of branches to prune. There has been no change in watering versus previous years. The fertilizer schedule has also been similar to previous years.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks.

Brent Ferris

Need some pics to help.
Unfortunately, many people consider Privet or Ligustrum to be a weed, and a dead plant is the best solution.
It is generally a very tough species and can withstand most soil conditions and growing conditions, Site unseen, it sounds like a fungal root problem.

dtr

Some photos. More leaves turning brown after the last pruning session.

Thanks.

Attached Thumbnails

   

dcarter

I don't see any yellow or brown "spots" lesions on the leaves that might suggest Circosporous leaf spot (Ligustrim are prone to it here---JAX) . The tree looks as if it hasn't been healthy for awhile. Are those also wax leaf ligustrim along the house in the background? The fact that your end branches are wilting and some others appear to have growth may mean the tree is "damping off" a systemic fungicide should help if that's the case, but you will need to consider cultural changes. Are the roots in water? No, not water, water, I mean is the ground excessively moist in this area? The tree looks as if the entire part of the tree that once grew toward the cameraman is now gone. Is that so? Is there a soil compaction issue? It looks as if there may be limited room for root growth in the area after 14 years. Remember, grass is the number one competeing vegetation with tree growth...Have you sprayed any herbicides on the lawn that would effect the root system? Lots of variables I know, Also, Ligustrum is now considered an invasive species here in FL. There are a lot of ornamental trees that size relatively inexpensive.

TreeSpecialist

Excessive water - root rot - caused by a water borne mold - phytopthora.

Rather than treat it, replace it. Cheaper in the long run. Cut back on the water

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silentoak

Could be Verticillium either, seeing as it's going branch by branch.

Its a fungi carried by sub terrain water, usually on ex farmland ( potatoes mainly ).

We have had some luck "flushing" the soil and using Neem oil.

But I wouldn't put any time or money into this one, it's a bit past it.

Plant the next one a little higher off the surface, and use something like Neem when planting, repeat Neem in spring.

Garry Brockley

Carefully excavate the soil around the base and take pics for us, you may have other problems that may be there but without a full picture of the shrub we can only speculate.

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dcarter

Fastest, cheapest route, plant a new one. They are really dirt cheap here in FL and grow rather quickly. Build up a bed for the new one to sit in above the water line a little. As for Neem Oil. You'll be really hard pressed to find a nematicide on the market here these days. Most went away about 10-12 years ago. Lastest suggested methods for that are replacing the soil with Certified Nematode Free Sand--this should be a last resort for fixing your problem. Just replace the tree and raise the bed a little. Fert in late feb,march again in june and sept. It'll grow quicker meaning you can save a little $ buying a slightly smaller tree.