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Dead branches on New Zealand Christmas Bush hedge

Hello,

 

           I have an established New Zealand hedge which has developed some dead leaves and branches.  It has always been very healthy however over the last month sections of the hedge have started dying off with leaves going brown and the hedge thinning out.  Do you have any thoughts as to possible causes ?  There does not appear to be any obvious signs of pests in the dead areas.

 

Answer:

 

Hi,

 

       Yes I have seen this before and it does happen with certain varieties of New Zealand Christmas bush.    There are a number of reasons why it happens.   1.  If the hedge or plant is pruned very hard, particularly on older stems, you tend to find that these section of the plant do not always regenerate well.   Under these circumstances let the hedge grow out slightly and only prune the new growth which develops.   2.  Root disturbance,  if the roots have been disturburbed or damaged,  you tend to find that a branch on this side of the plant could die back.   3.   Soil problems, although very hardy some metrosideros can be affected by soil fungus,  this does not always kill the plant but branches die off.    Excessive use of fertilisers can also kill roots which will then damage the plants growth.    Soil which has become sodden (little drainage),  or very dry conditions will also result in the effect of stems dying back.     I suggest you make a good accessment of your soil,  test pH and also look for the potential that the plant is being attacked by soil borne insects like Curl Grubs (which eat roots)  they are a white grub, and are bettle larve. 

 

Regards Gardenguide

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