Laurel Hedge Problems

Hi all, new member and this is my first post, so be kind! I've got a problem with a dying laurel hedge. Its well established and been around for 20 years now, but things are going wrong. Does anyone have any ideas what the problem is ? I've uploaded some pictures. For information I live in Cheshire. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Welcome to GC bushikempo. I may be wrong but it doesn't look like Laurel to me, I'm inclined to think it's Beech.

Perhaps @Trunky may be able to help with this please.

 

Whoops, that's a good start! Yes it's a beech. Sorry had laurel on the brain...

 

Yep, definitely Beech.

Not quite sure what's wrong with it though. The fact that it's still showing at least some fresh growth is a good sign.

I notice there's some netting alongside the hedge, has it been put there recently? Just wondering if that netting was partly buried, if so there would have been considerable disturbance to the roots of the hedge while it was being dug in. That might account for the hedge looking a bit poorly.

 

The soil also looks very dry, I'm wondering if it's suffering from lack of water and perhaps nutrients?