Cherry Laurel HELP!!

[PK17]

Hi everyone,

 

In a little panic mode as my cherry laurels have started to shed yellow leaves and develop strange yellow shoots. Please see attached photos.

About 6 weeks ago I had a garden renovation. The laurels were always in a raised bed area but I have recently built a new more modern retaining wall. It's also slightly higher than it was before. I have filled the bed with more bedding soil and added some buxus balls etc.

Over the last couple of weeks the laurel has started to shed yellow leaves. I'm guessing (or hoping) its just either a too little or too much water issue

I have dug out a few areas and the roots definitely do not appear to be waterlogged. Obviously if it's over watered I don't want to compound the problem so thought I'd post here for some much needed expert advise. Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

 

Thank's in advance Phil

 

 

 

[Paul in the woods]

The yellow 'shoots' look like the old flower/fruit stalks.

 

Personally I'd not raise the soil level around an existing tree/shrub but I'd wait to hear from the more qualified people.

[Doug Tait]

Was just about to say that things don't really like changes in ground level. I'd guess raising the soil level is causing them problems

[Stubby]

1 minute ago, Doug Tait said:

Was just about to say that things don't really like changes in ground level. I'd guess raising the soil level is causing them problems

Agreed . The roots need to breath .

[PK17]

Thanks to everyone so far. I haven't really raised the area that much from previously. If thats the case is there any easy way to add air back into the soil or is it simply just reducing soil levels?

[Darkslider]

Roots need to be able to get air and moisture, doesn't take much of a change to cut off that supply, even compacting the existing soil around the base could be enough to suffocate it. My first step would be to strip the top layer back off and see if it improves matters, won't cost you anything other than an hour or two of your time 

[tree_beard]

They look healthy enough, the yellow stalks as mentioned are old flower stalks.

 

I don't think in this instance your soil level has or will have any effect. You could probably bury laurel under ten foot of demolition rubble and it would bounce back fine

[Khriss]

Pretty robust shrub / tree usually. South facing  in that plot?  K

[PK17]

Yes it's South facing in that plot. I've checked the other side behind the wall and all is green. Just strange as it's never really produced much fruit but this year it's been crazy. I'm going to strip the top layer off as suggested. 

[Jack.P]

Not sure if the laurels were recently bought but would suspect the roots are not fully established /came out of small pots .mature shrubs like this can take a while to acclimatise to new spots with more wind etc .These things are usually almost impossible to kill