Why Are Parts of My Shrub Dying?
It is disappointing to see parts of your shrub turning brown and dying, especially if you are unsure of the culprit. The first thing to check is for nutrient deficiency or toxicity and then look for pest or disease problems. If that isn’t the problem and you’re struggling to figure out what’s going on, here are some of the most common reasons your shrub could be dying.
Getting Too Much or Not Enough Water
Watering your shrub correctly can be a struggle, especially when the weather is hot. Too little or too much water can cause stress in your shrub, which may result in leaves turning brown and dying.
Not Suitable for the Area
When buying shrubs for your landscape, you have to ensure they are suitable for your local climate and your yard. If they aren’t hardy enough to handle the winters or not robust enough to take the heat of your summers, the extreme weather will turn leaves dry and dull, and it may cause the branches to die.
Also, is it planted in the right location regarding sun exposure? If it’s getting too much sun or too little, you will see signs your shrub is struggling.
Unusual or Drastic Weather Changes
A common problem seen in shrubs occurs when a streak of warm weather comes in late winter. Warmer temps prompt the shrub to start growing, but when the temps drop again, that growth stops and may be damaged by the cold. Also, if the ground is frozen, the roots can’t take in water to keep the growth green, and it dies.
Lack of Sunlight in the Center of the Shrub
If your shrub is too thick through the middle, sunlight won’t make its way to the leaves. This lack of light causes the leaves in the shrub’s center to drop, leaving interior branches looking dead and sparse.
Ineffective Root Growth
Shrubs need healthy, robust root systems to absorb water and soil nutrients. When the roots fail to develop or grow out into the surrounding soil, root growth may shrink or die, which will trigger death in the parts of the shrub above ground too.
Poor root growth may be due to overly sandy or clay-like soils, a compacted root ball that wasn’t trimmed or loosened at planting, or compacted soils around the roots.
Rabbit or Deer Damage
Another reason you may see branches die is because of rabbits and deer in your yard. They come in, looking for food, and strip patches of bark off the branches they can reach, especially in the winter when food is scarce. Once they strip the bark, these branches are susceptible to dying.
