Q. I have two bay laurel trees planted in a narrow bed
behind my swimming pool. They were planted there for about 7 years, and in the
last couple of years, the leaves have developed brown borders and spots. There
doesn’t seem to be excessive leaf drop, but the leaves don’t look healthy to me.
behind my swimming pool. They were planted there for about 7 years, and in the
last couple of years, the leaves have developed brown borders and spots. There
doesn’t seem to be excessive leaf drop, but the leaves don’t look healthy to me.
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| Bay Laurel tree will be healthiest surrounded by woodchip mulch |
A. Sounds like an irrigation or soil issue if it’s
affecting all the leaves on the tree.
affecting all the leaves on the tree.
Irrigation or Soil Problem
I would guess it’s drought (not enough
water) or the soil was kept too wet for a long period of time. Both give brown
borders (scorch) to the leaves. My guess is that the trees need water applied
to a larger area underneath their canopy. This will result in more water
applied to that area.
water) or the soil was kept too wet for a long period of time. Both give brown
borders (scorch) to the leaves. My guess is that the trees need water applied
to a larger area underneath their canopy. This will result in more water
applied to that area.
Judging
from the pictures you sent, this is not a true disease problem.
from the pictures you sent, this is not a true disease problem.
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| Bay Laurel Planted from 24 Inch Box |
Add More Emitters for More Water
As trees
get older and larger, their water requirement increases and the number of
emitters placed under the canopy also must increase. By increasing the number
of emitters under the tree, or increasing the size of emitters or both,
provides more water during the same number of minutes. Don’t just increase the
number of minutes on the controller. That results in all the irrigated plants
getting more water.
get older and larger, their water requirement increases and the number of
emitters placed under the canopy also must increase. By increasing the number
of emitters under the tree, or increasing the size of emitters or both,
provides more water during the same number of minutes. Don’t just increase the
number of minutes on the controller. That results in all the irrigated plants
getting more water.
 |
| Bay Laurel can be pruned |
Don’t Water Too Often
A word
of caution. If the soil is overly wet for weeks at a time, then it can cause
the same look. When the soil is overly wet it causes root rot and the tree
looks like it is not getting enough water (it’s not getting enough water because
the roots rotted!).
of caution. If the soil is overly wet for weeks at a time, then it can cause
the same look. When the soil is overly wet it causes root rot and the tree
looks like it is not getting enough water (it’s not getting enough water because
the roots rotted!).
Leaves Tell You the Past
Whenever
you look at old leaves, it tells you about its past problems. The new growth
tells you how the tree is doing NOW! If you agree with me that it is probably a
lack of water, flood the area under the trees with a sprinkler and look at the
new growth in a couple of weeks. If the new growth looks strong, add more drip
emitters under the tree canopies. After adding the emitters, refresh the top of
the soil with a 3-inch layer of woodchips.
you look at old leaves, it tells you about its past problems. The new growth
tells you how the tree is doing NOW! If you agree with me that it is probably a
lack of water, flood the area under the trees with a sprinkler and look at the
new growth in a couple of weeks. If the new growth looks strong, add more drip
emitters under the tree canopies. After adding the emitters, refresh the top of
the soil with a 3-inch layer of woodchips.