Holly has dead branches, looks sparse- what is wrong?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
breathehope Huntersville, NC Jun 09, 2008

This holly has been struggling for the past three years. I noticed that the roots are spread out, and I found out too late that the hole was dug too small.

It recently started growing new branches after I sprayed some insecticide on it. I guessed it might be infected with mites because the trunk had spots on it and the leaves had spots on it. But now I don't know whether I should cut off the dead branches because when I did that last season nothing changed.

I have a bush (don't know the name) that is next to this holly and it seems to have a similar problem. Spots on leaves and dying branches.

I don't want to spray unnecessary chemicals and would love some help.

What can I do to get it to grow fuller and healthier?

Thumbnail by breathehope
Post #5076640
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 09, 2008

Can you post some closer up pictures that shows the spots you're seeing on the trunk and leaves? The first step to getting it fuller and healthier is to figure out what's wrong with it and take care of it, and without seeing the spots it's hard to guess what the problem might be.

Post #5076762
Quote
breathehope Huntersville, NC Jun 10, 2008

This is what the neighboring bush looks like.

The holly doesn't have any spotted leaves yet. I'm guessing the insecticide helped.

Thumbnail by breathehope
Post #5082134
Quote
plantfreak78 Rolesville, NC(Zone 7b) Jun 10, 2008

Foster holly (which I believe is what you have) has a naturally thin growth habit. It will never be thick and full unless you prune the tips of the branches frequently. The dying branches are probably due to our terrible drought last year, the poor soil preparation and the fact that it is planted way too close to the house. If it does turn out to be a Foster you'll be luckier if it doesn't grow, as they want to be about 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide.

The Carissa Hollies nearby look fine to me. The pale spots you see are due to exposure of some kind. Either they got cold and/or wind burned at one point or they were grown in shade and then planted into full sun which can cause sunburn. They can get a black spot that is caused by a fungal disease but if that's what they had last year an insecticide wouldn't have cured it. They're usually not prone to insects. I wouldn't worry about spraying any of your hollies with anything, at least from what I can tell from these pictures.

Post #5083237
Quote
breathehope Huntersville, NC Jun 11, 2008

Wow, that you so much for the advice. They clears up a lot.

Is it true you can use baking soda and water to cure fungal diseases?


Post #5087725
Quote
plantfreak78 Rolesville, NC(Zone 7b) Jun 11, 2008

Sometimes you can but it's mainly effective on easy-to-control fungi like powdery mildew. On leaf spots you usually need a chemical like Daconil, Fungonil or Liquid Copper.

Post #5087783
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP