Laurels dying,

[Alycidon]

Evening all,

 

This spring I planted 50 Laurels, these were about 2 feet high in 4 different woods I look after.

 

In three of the woods with sandy soil I lost an odd one but most are growing on nicely.

 

In one wood I have a problem. About an acre is size its on a steep hill which is a knob of heavy clay, it was planted with Ash, Beech, oak and a few birch, 50 or so Kent Cobnuts at the lower edge, surrounded by a quickthorn hedge that was laid 2 years ago. Wood has been planted about 30 years.

 

I had planted laurels in there some 5 years ago, those right on top of the hill grew well but most of the rest just died immediately. The ones that grew were in heavy soil but had better light.

 

Having laid the previously planted laurels to improve ground cover I planted another 25 further down the bank, generally on the edge of the trees and the Cobnuts. Trees are 25 - 30 feet or so tall, and around 8 yards apart, canopy is reasonably open. These were watered in well and then left to their own devices. I visited in June, all were well, went again this week and only found one alive of the 12 I checked. No sign of any damage, leaves had gone brown and withered away.

 

Is this a soil and or light issue ?, the soil being clay will hold water so I doubt its a water issue, if it was those in the other woods planted at the same time in sandy soil would have died faster. In fairness they are under far taller trees but have competition with elders. While there are badgers present they have not damaged the plants which were surrounded by rabbit guards, no deer much and no sign of browsing.

 

Any thoughts ?, suspect its a light issue.

 

Thanks

 

A

[Alycidon]

To wet for laurels by the sound of it, there a Mediterranean plant so don't like clay / cold / wet. They will do well on the sandy stuff but laurels and clay don't generally mix to well. Very easy to overwater them, this will make the leaves go brown and lead to failure fairly quickly.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

Leaves gone brown is exactly whats happened, all the other sites are sandy and free draining, maybe need to take some cuttings and grow them on, but that would be disappointing to have those die as well. Not looked at the root balls yet, just no time to get there at present.

 

A

[peatff]

Not relevant to the original post but we found a Laurel growing between the slabs in our garden with no idea where it came from, birds spreading seed probably. It was in full leaf about a foot tall and I just pulled it out but the roots came with it so I stuck it in a pot of soil and it grew on quite happily. It gets watered when it rains and when anyone thinks about it otherwise it is ignored.

 

I thought Laurel was a Hardy perennial !

 

Sorry, I'll get my coat.