Phytophthora?

[Ian Flatters]

I went and looked at this last night and suspect phytophthora is the culprit, but I've never seen such rapid defoliation over 3 months. Any comments greatly received.

[daltontrees]

Is it on a boundary between two gardens? Which species of Phytophtora do you suspect? How well drained is the soil?

[Ian Flatters]

Is it on a boundary between two gardens? Which species of Phytophtora do you suspect? How well drained is the soil?

I'd suspect phytophthora ilicis as it seems to be doing what it does.

It's a farmhouse/flower growers. The driveway is for the house only, 2 trees are in the front flower bed and the soil is predominantly a sandy brown loam with a low percentage of clay. High Point within the area so quite good at self draining.

I hope that helps a bit.

[daltontrees]

To be honest, I wasn't aware of the ilicis species, but I am now so thanks for that. I have not knowingly seen it in Scotland anyway. Having read up on it a bit and seen the pictures it does look like it has the signs of Phytophthora. I was just trying to rule out poisoning and Armillaria and generally waterlogging which could assist Armillaria or Phytophthora. Variegated hollies aren't the most robust either.