Q. Why has my photinia hedge of 20 years losing it leaves? They are turning brown, curling up and falling off.
Barry Christensen – Puyallup, WA
A. Well twenty years is a good run if this is the first time you have had problems with your photinia. Leaf drop is occurs in the advanced stages of blackspot fungal infection. This is due to the presence of the fungus and suitable environmental conditions. Hedges are more susceptible because the act of shearing causes dense growth which decreases air circulation. Don’t trim the hedge during the summer months since young leaves are more susceptible to infection and the summer is when the temperature favors the fungus. Also irrigation systems that wet the leaves are also contributing. Remove all the leaves that drop off and dispose of them. In addition to these cultural changes you may also need to hire a certified contractor to spray the hedges with an appropriate fungicide like neem to get the disease in check.