What Would Cause Trees And Shrubs In A Corner Of The Garden To Wilt And Die?

Question

Plants involved in order of wilting over last two years are photonia, pyracantha, clematis and crab apple. Plants look out of sorts, leaves begin to wilt and turn brown. Eventually, whole plant with all leaves brown. If there is cause what can I do about it. Many thanks

Answer 1

It sounds like the soil may be diseased. This can happen because soils remain to compact and wet or because of insect infestation, usually. I would test for those, first.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/waterlogged-soil-fixes

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-percolation-in-soil.htm

There are many diseases that are shared among the species listed. I suspect one of a few candidates. Fire blight, Verticillium wilt, and Phytophthora rot would be my guesses. Fungicides and keeping all diseased material picked up out of the area will be necessary.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

Outside of that, I would not plant anything else out in that spot for a few years. You want to give it time to disrupt the lifecycle of any of those diseases.