Dying Privet Hedge

Hi, I’m looking for some advice on the privet hedge in our front garden (see images below). Last spring summer the right-hand side of the hedge lost all its leaves (with exception of a small section in the middle) and the stems have completely dried out. I was told we may have vine weevil which I have been treating the area with Nemasys for other a year. Does anyone have any advice before I potentially dig it out? If that is the only option any ideas on a suitable fast growing replacement. I have been growing an arch for the last 4 years and it’s typical the year after the ends meet this happens. Thanks in advance.

 

I don't think vine weevil would kill it completely like that, I'm wondering if it is honey fungus because privet is susceptible to that. Have a dig around the roots and if you find little curved white grubs about 1.5 cm long with a brown tip it is vine weevil. If you find white fungal sheets and long bootlace like strands and have had yellow toadstools it's honey fungus. Lonicera nitida is resistant to it and grows pretty fast.

 

If vine weevil grubs have eaten the roots there may be no saving it, but give it a chance. Wait and see if it starts producing any new leaves when the weather warms up a bit. Drought last year followed by some cold spells in the winter won't have helped it.

 

Thank you both for the advice. If it’s not possible to save it do you have any recommendations for replacement. I’ve looked online and you can buy some quite well established privet hedges, however they would still fall considerably short of where the hedge is now. Any recommendations on something else that might be a faster growing alternative? Thanks.

 

I'd be surprised if it is totally dead, also that the culprit could be vine weevil.

I'd wait and see what shoots come spring.

Everyone wants a fast growing hedge, that is until it reaches the size they want it.