Question
I have a hedge of silver buttonwoods and recently it seems that I am finding a lot of dead branches/wood in some of them.  They are facing south, and get watered whenever the sprinklers go on (2X/week), or through regular rain.  I keep them trimmed on all sides and the top to both form a good hedge, and promote growth.  I don't notice any bugs or disease on them, but they have lost some very large sections of branches.  Is there something you can recommend to spray, fertilize, etc...?  The current fertilizer I use is for palms and tropicals - 8/10/10.

Answer
Hi Chris, it is a common occurance with hedge plantings eventually, as with any older plantings, they begin to decline over age, and need to be pruned back to encourage new growth; prune off the dead wood and continue what you are doing, you seem to have a good handle on horticultural matters, so its nothing you have done or failed to do. There is a time when nothing you do will bring back the vigor, and removal is necessary, but try this first and wait and see. Nick