Boxwood turning brown and dying - Ask Extension
Hello,
We've been having problems with our established boxwoods turning brown and dying in large sections of the plants. As you can see from the photo...
Knowledgebase
Boxwood turning brown and dying #351961
Asked August 10, 2016, 3:13 PM EDT
Hello,
We've been having problems with our established boxwoods turning brown and dying in large sections of the plants. As you can see from the photo attached, we cut out the dead sections on the boxwood in the front of our house, but it has left quite a large hole in the plant, and is not very aesthetically pleasing any longer. Our other boxwood, which is located in the back of the house (so not near the other plant) is now having the same browning and dying symptoms. Any suggestions for what is causing the problem and how to stop it would be greatly appreciated!
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
There could be a combination of factors here.
It is not uncommon to have some winter damage on boxwood in our area, and anything dead can be cut out as you have done with your other shrub. Over time they should start to fill in.
For the part that is starting to turn now, we wonder about a root disruption, which could be from voles chewing on bark or roots. Take a look inside at the bottom area of the plant for signs of damage.
Here are other factors and best management options for boxwood:
http://www.extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG52_IPM_Boxwood...
Boxwood can have multiple problems in our area, and good management to prevent disease includes thinning (as opposed to shearing outside edges) to improve air flow around and within the shrub. Here is information on this:
http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic/boxwood-culture-and-diseases-including-boxwood-blight
cm
It is not uncommon to have some winter damage on boxwood in our area, and anything dead can be cut out as you have done with your other shrub. Over time they should start to fill in.
For the part that is starting to turn now, we wonder about a root disruption, which could be from voles chewing on bark or roots. Take a look inside at the bottom area of the plant for signs of damage.
Here are other factors and best management options for boxwood:
http://www.extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG52_IPM_Boxwood...
Boxwood can have multiple problems in our area, and good management to prevent disease includes thinning (as opposed to shearing outside edges) to improve air flow around and within the shrub. Here is information on this:
http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic/boxwood-culture-and-diseases-including-boxwood-blight
cm
