Is someone spraying weed killer on my plants? Help!

mikejames2011

It may seem like paranoia but some of the growth on my cherry laurels have gone black and wilted. The thing is this has only happened on the side facing out of the garden. I then went up to inspect a hornbeam I’ve recently planted and it too has withered and has crispy leaves but only on the side that’s facing out of the garden again.

Could this be wilt? Plant stress etc? Or is someone spraying something on my plants?

Would really appreciate some opinions as I’m really not sure what’s going on.

FlyDragon

What direction are they facing?  Is the side facing outwards facing sun?  Are they exposed to the wind?  At what height is the damage? 

Hostafan1

looks like a mix of dry, wind and chill

Astro

Could it not be that the cold snap has got at fresh growth? Is the affected side more exposed, like does it get more wind or morning sun?

mikejames2011

The side that’s affected isn’t in full sun, it may get the early
morning sun but then it moves round to the other side. It just seems to be affecting the top 40% of the plants but that is also the portion that’s above the fence... 

The laurels were planted last March and I water about 3 times a week, otherwise they look very healthy. The Hornbeam was only planted this year and again one side is very healthy. 

Hostafan1

sun first thing?, top of the plants?.... I'm saying it's morning chill.
It'll pass and you'll get new growth.

mikejames2011

We are in the south east (Kent) and I can’t remember the last time we’ve had frost in the last month? I did think it might be frost damage at first.

Some more photos of the damage... 

Dovefromabove

That’s weather damage. It won’t do any damage ... in fact it may do good ... usual advice is to cut back newly planted hedging plants quite hard, this will enable them to establish a good root system and develop a good thick hedge. 

mikejames2011

Thanks for the replies, i think as it was only on sections above the fence line facing the pavement I thought it was malicious! Also as it was on two different species I thought it was odd, a red robin has also been affected a little but again only on the one side. 

Hoping you are correct and just naturally occurring weather damage. 

Fairygirl

Hornbeam and Cherry laurel are two of the toughest materials known to man. Unlike those Red Robin Photinias, which are often quite iffy in anything but perfect conditions.
Wind can cause more problems than frost too, especially to new, soft growth.
It'll pass