Boxwoods - Ask Extension
Subject: Boxwoods
Hello,
We are having a problem with the boxwoods in our condo community apparently displaying portions of the shrubs dying. Th...
Knowledgebase
Boxwoods #853597
Asked October 20, 2023, 12:51 PM EDT
Subject: Boxwoods
Hello,
We are having a problem with the boxwoods in our condo community apparently displaying portions of the shrubs dying. There is no consistency as to where on the bush the dead portions are presenting themselves. This is widespread throughout the property. There are some that don't appear to have any issues. All of the ones affected are those that have been pruned by the landscapers. Ive read about Boxwood Blight, Volutella Blight and winter damage, all presenting itself on the plants similarly. Is there a way to correctly identify the issue? If it is a blight, should those bushes be pulled out and not allowed to winter over? Is there a different approach how we move forward depending on diagnosis? You all have been so helpful answering questions in the past. Help! Thanks for your time and knowledge.
Lysa
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Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Lysa.
I truly hope that you do not have boxwood blight which is a fungal disease that is spreading. Does the leaves have brown spots or does the stems have sunken areas. Boxwood blight often kills plants shortly after leave drop. Affected areas should be remove and destroy.
But before we do that, you can send a plant sample to the C.Wayne Ellet Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. They can make the diagnostic as to whether or not you have blight.
https://ppdc.osu.edu/
Just in case there is blight and if the infection is still in the early stages, please cut off all affected parts and clean up debris all around. Don't compost trimming. Please also disinfect your tools after each cut so that you prevent the possibility of infecting the next plant through your tools. A mild bleach solution would work for disinfecting.You could also try using a fungicide. Please follow the label for effectiveness as well as for your safety.
Of course the above assumes that you have blight. You may just have winter damage, or salt damage. Does the browning occurs near driveways or sidewalks that may have receive salt in the winter?
I'm sending you a few links for reading and hope that the diagnostic comes in negative for boxwood blight.
Be Alert to Boxwood Blight | BYGL (osu.edu)
Boxwood Blight – Wisconsin Horticulture
Boxwood Blight: Identification, Prevention & Control | Riverbend Landscapes & Tree Service (riverbendva.com)
I truly hope that you do not have boxwood blight which is a fungal disease that is spreading. Does the leaves have brown spots or does the stems have sunken areas. Boxwood blight often kills plants shortly after leave drop. Affected areas should be remove and destroy.
But before we do that, you can send a plant sample to the C.Wayne Ellet Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. They can make the diagnostic as to whether or not you have blight.
https://ppdc.osu.edu/
Just in case there is blight and if the infection is still in the early stages, please cut off all affected parts and clean up debris all around. Don't compost trimming. Please also disinfect your tools after each cut so that you prevent the possibility of infecting the next plant through your tools. A mild bleach solution would work for disinfecting.You could also try using a fungicide. Please follow the label for effectiveness as well as for your safety.
Of course the above assumes that you have blight. You may just have winter damage, or salt damage. Does the browning occurs near driveways or sidewalks that may have receive salt in the winter?
I'm sending you a few links for reading and hope that the diagnostic comes in negative for boxwood blight.
Be Alert to Boxwood Blight | BYGL (osu.edu)
Boxwood Blight – Wisconsin Horticulture
Boxwood Blight: Identification, Prevention & Control | Riverbend Landscapes & Tree Service (riverbendva.com)
