Question
QUESTION: I have a mature 6'+ Euonymus shrub that has never had a problem in the past.  We had a wet spring, and my local nurseries all diagnosed what they thought was black spot.  I treated multiple times, and the leaf spots stopped, but now I've got one whole section where the leaves die from the tip to the base of the stem. (They turn brown and dry out).  Now, all the way at the base of the main branch (on the section of the plant where the branches are dying) the bark is now splitting and peeling near the base of the trunk. The rest of the bush is healthy.  I've treated with pesticides and fungicides.  What do I do?  Cut off the infected area? I want to save this plant.  Help!

ANSWER: Lindsay:
If the branch is definitely drying back, just snip out that branch to try to remove as much of the Dead portion as you can- just in case there may be a fungus growing on that dead stuff.  Snip out the branch and throw it away in the trash or burn. Be sure the plant is getting adequate soil moisture especially during any extended hot/dry weather conditions. Watch out also for scale insects on the leaves and stems- little white "specks" that appear on both sides of the leaves.

Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Steve - After I cut back the branch & looked under the bark that was blistering off, it looked like there was some black dusty looking (fungus?) under the bark.  I cut it off at the base, and pulled out all the other dead branches as well.  It's looking a little holey, but I'm hoping it will recover.  No scales to be found anywhere.
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Lindsay:
The black stuff is probably a fungus that is secondary to the true cause.  It is just enjoying growing on the dead wood, but likely not the cause.  Many fungal organisms are saphrophytes, that is they grow on dead wood only. Often, shrubs do become misshappen after selective pruning, but hopefully over time, it will fill in.

Steve