Question
Our hedge grows every year but when the knew leaves grow out they get little blackish spots and the leaves fall off leaving the hedge looking thin not full.  It kind of75ugt looks like a fungus , what should i do.

Answer
Hello Jerry

This sounds like leaf spot and, yes, is it a fungal infection.

There are several things you can do to improve matters:

1.  Rake up and burn the fallen leaves when you see them, and pay particular attention to this task in the fall.

2.  In spring, water the ground along the hedge on both sides to 2-3 feet out from the hedge with a fungicide mixed with water - the packaging will have instructions as to how much water and fungicide to use.

3.  Also use a spray or watering can to wet the leaves on the hedge to kill off any fungicidal spores which may be harbored there.

You may have to to this every year, although continued treatment may, in time, eradicate the problem.

One other thing you can do for your hedge - make sure that it is well watered in really dry spells and give it a feed every now and then with a multi-purpose fertilizer.  This will build up the strength of the hedge - and a healthy plant finds it easier to fight off pest and disease attacks.

Gill