laurel trees/bush?

Question

i have a row of laurel trees about 5' high making a screen, but by the fence there is a huge conifer next door, and my 3 nearest laurels arnt growing, i know its the conifer, and i water and feed the laurels but cant get them to grow, any ideas please ?

Answer 1

maybe the conifer is reducing the amount of sunlight nesessary for the laurels to grow. Or it could be that competition for neutrients in the soil is being taken up by the more mature and agressive pine.

There are quite a few plants and trees that give off a chemical substance that keeps other plants from growing too near to the host tree or plant.

perhaps you should consider changing your living fence into something more compatible with the location.

Answer 2

The conifer could have some effect on your laurels. the conifer does form a thick mat of roots near the surface and can stunt smaller shrubs & plants. The the laurel has a deeper, stronger root system that should have no problem pushing through the conifer. especially ones the size of your laurels.

have you checked for other problems?
gophers are lovers of the laurel roots.
also subject to black scale & laurel psyllid. both of which could stunt growth. (check for signs of black sooty mold on the foliage or large quanities of ants on or around the shrubs.)

if you have eliminated the others as the possible problem, the conifer may be the reason? it would be unusual, but not impossible.

You need to get the laural root system established under the matting of the conifer. you'll need to get a deep root feeder & inject water down deep to attract the laural's root system. Once the laural roots are deep enough, the conifer's system should have no effect on it's stronger system.

deep root feeders are found at most good home centers and are not costly. But they are a lot of work & you'll need to repeat the process several times before you see any possible results.

The idea is to inject lots of water way down below the laurel roots to attract them in that direction down away from the matting roots of the conifer.

but make sure it is not one of the other possibilties first.

Answer 3

The conifer drops needles that disintegrate over time, releasing tanins into the soil. Acid-loving plants, such as azelia, can survive or thrive in soil that lacks high acid content. Move the azelias or move the conifer (good luck with that!) but the azelias cannot live happily in this situation.