Question
April 2006 I had my small front garden landscaped and stoned-(low maintenance and attractive) However I now notice that my front Australian laurel hedge has die back. The dieback is spreading and skipping patches of the hedge. Could the hedge be infected with honey fungus? Any solution? Would the use of Armillotox be effective?  The hedge is 40+ years old . Can I replant successfully? I should mention here that I had a Japanese Cherry tree cut down severalyears ago. The stump is still there and I wonder if the problem originated there?

Answer
Hi Margaret, I would take a sample by your local garden center to confirm your diagnosis, but I suspect you are correct.  However, what you call Australian laurel I believe is Pittosporum tobira which is considered resistant.  So I think one of your local experts may be of more assistance.  I'm not sure what the active ingredient is in Armillotox, but from what I've read, it appears to be just a disinfectant.  You may need a better systemic fungicide if one is available where you live and I'd plant resistant plants from here on.  Jim