Have the neighbours killed this tree?

[Clutchy]

I think the answer is almost certainly yes, but just wanted to rule out anything else. I know its only a laurel but they did like it. 

 

Neighbours have blocked an underground stream which has made the area area the tree quite wet, not waterlogged at the moment but was bad in winter. 

 

On top of this a 3ft deep trench within the root area was dug and concrete fences put in (I'm guessing this is most likely the reason). 

 

Attached are a few pics of the leaves, about 50% of the crown has wilted or browned. 

 

The picture showing the crown is 4 weeks old and is now at 50% discoloured/wilted, I just forgot to get one today. 

They also asked if this would constitute criminal damage? (I have told them they need to speak to a legal about that as I can't comment) but interested in others experience 

[5thelement]

In my experience, without the use of herbicide, established Cherry Laurel is hard to kill.

Last year I cut a section out of my own hedge to install a rose arbor,  grubbed out the roots and threw them on the compost heap where they sprouted new growth.

[spudulike]

The legal approach will be expensive. How about planting willow, they will lap up that excess water.

[Dan Maynard]

I think waterlogging possibly would kill it, any cutting, digging, physical damage would just make it sprout more.

[Mark Bolam]

With all the will in the World mate, stay out of it.

Who knows what happened?

 

Dan is probably right, but you do not want to get dragged into a court battle as an expert witness if you’re not suitably qualified to be an expert witness.

 

That’s not a dig, I doubt any of us are.

 

Jules @daltontrees and & chris@eden could possibly help.

 

Chris won’t tag, someone techie help?

 

@Jon Heuch?

[Mick Dempsey]

Yeah, walk away.

[Excels1or]

Looks like Chlorosis to me. High water content could be leaching Iron from the soil?

[Clutchy]

Taking all your points on board, I'm staying out of it! 🙂