Growing Bald Spot In My Previously Lush Pachysandra — Why?

Question

We have a bunch of pachysandra in our backyard, which we love. Over the past couple of years, we’ve noticed a growing bald patch in the middle of what used to be beautiful, healthy ground cover. It gets sufficient water; it is a shaded area (especially when trees are in leaf). The only reason I can come up with is that this bald patch is on/around the root system of a very old maple tree. Could the tree be starving the pachysandra of nutrients? Would it help if we add new dirt, or spread mulch and/or compost? I’ve attached two photos below, as follows: Photo #1: bald patch beneath maple tree Photo #2: healthy pachysandra immediately adjacent to bald spot Thank you!

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Answer 1

I wouldn't think it was the root system because trees have feeder roots several feet from the tree and all around. Check the plants next to the bald spot for tan areas. There may be a fungal disease that is causing it to die out.

Here is more:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/pachysandra/pachysandra-volutella-blight.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/pachysandra/pachysandra-ground-cover.htm