Tree problems - Red Leaf Photinia?

Question

We have about 10 red leaf photinia trees on our property between six and eight feet tall that were planted as bushes (2 to 3 feet tall) two years ago. Until this year we have never had problems with them. We have had an extreme amount of rain and then a full month of terrible heat. Three of the plants have completely turned brown but the others are vibrant. We haven't done anything different. I did some research but could only find spot diseases, nothing about brown leaves. Does anyone know what might be the problem and will they come back next year ok? The trunks seem healthy. Thanks!

Answer 1

I love these plants and have planted over one hundred of them. They can die when there is a heat wave. Watering them does not seem to help when it stays hot for extended periods. As long as you can scrape the bark and find green then it is still alive and can grow back.

Answer 2

Red Leaf Photinia

Answer 3

it is photina leaf spot and is a fungal disease.
rake every leaf from underneath the plants as every time it rains or you water the spores splash back on the plants. if possible prune heavily, then rake. the pruning will encourage new growth and the new leaves will not have the fungus - unless it is splashed up from lower leaves.

there are products that will kill the spores, however the plants would need to be sprayed 14 times a year...and photinias are not worth the cost. It is cheaper in the long run to replace them rather than spray.
hope this helps.

Answer 4

Could there be a drainage issue here? Could the ground in this area be so saturated the roots have had no oxygen and rotted out? (Sometimes something underground prevents proper drainage.) Then when the heat came, no roots to take up water.

Good sanitation as described above is a good idea. After you clean up well, you can spray with a fungicide on the ground and the plant......but remember, fungicides don't cure, they just reduce the spore's ability to germinate on other plants parts.....for awhile.

It's up to you if you want to wait and see if they releaf or just remove then and start again. If you remove them, investigate the soil. Also when you pull them, look at the roots, wash off the soil and look. Could be the roots were kinked and the plant strangled itself underground.

Answer 5

On the plants theat have turned brown, start near tips and scrape bark and if you find green tissue, they will come back with a bit of pruning. If you have to go too far down plant to get green tissue it may be easier to replace these plants

You can get fingicides that will kill any fungus present and others that will prevent reinfection, sometime can be a combination spray

Sometimes **** happens, replace plants and carry on

Answer 6

No, they are not toxic, at least not poisonous to people, as far as I've heard. They are thick light blocking leaves. The grass is probably in deep shade? And it is usual for grass under trees to not grow well. And the leaves probably acidify the soil where they lay on the ground. Very normal.