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I have a 54-year-old privet hedge, which has grown very well in all aspects until recently. However, in the past two years, I have noticed that no new stems have grown on the sides and have become very thin, although the top is always narrower than the bottom, so they get good sunlight. I haven't fed the hedge for many years, relying on what I put on the lawn around it. I did cut a lot a few years ago to lower and refresh it. What can I do to regain strong new growth? I use it to protect privacy, very rarely now. Thank you for your help with this.

Ligustrum is one of the plants that can divide gardeners into two camps. Some people like evergreen leaves to color the winter landscape and provide a base for beautiful formal pruning and hedges. Others see it as an aggressive non-local intruder. The same qualities-cold tolerance, easy growth, disease resistance and endurance, make it easy for people to love and easy to be bullied.

Although there are many kinds of Ligustrum spp. in the world, most plants in our region are one of four plants.

This shrub has petite green leaves, leathery and alternately arranged on the stems, and produces delicate, fragrant white tubular flowers in late spring. Privet is 4 to 15 feet long and 4 to 10 feet wide, depending on the variety. Although it grows best in full sunlight, this shrub can grow well in partial sunlight and is not picky about the soil-as long as the pH is around neutral (6 to 7) and drainage is good.

The shrubs are planted individually for about a foot or in a two-foot-wide ditch in a hole about two feet wide. An admirable quality is the limited tolerance of privet to salt, making it ideal for planting along driveways and streets.

Fertilize with 15-5-10 in early spring and wait for new shoots to grow in autumn. Prune after flowering and as needed to maintain shape throughout the growing season. Use small plants by hand to control spread regularly.

Now to solve Chuck's situation. Ligustrum is very hardy and has a long lifespan, but it does have some problems. Even the best-treated hedges can be damaged or killed. If the change is sudden, first check for pests, signs of disease, and changes in available light or drainage systems.

A common culprit is anthracnose, blight or honey fungus. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that attacks new shoots and appears as dead and brown spots on the leaves, eventually spreading to the entire leaf. This fungal disease and some other fungal diseases are soil-borne, attacking the roots of plants and causing slow death within a few years. It is treated by removing and destroying all diseased leaves and wood. Remove leaf fragments from under the bush. In addition, sparse the bushes during dormancy to improve air circulation.

If you are considering planting privet, please choose anthracnose-resistant ligustrum, such as Amur (L. amurese), California (L.ovalifolium Hassk), ibota (L. obtusifolium) or Emperor (L. "Regelianum").

Another doubt is root rot. Although Ligustrum is very heat-resistant and drought-tolerant, they are sensitive to root rot if the soil is moist or heavy.

If you see mushrooms at the base of the plant, it is suspected to be armillaria root rot (oak root rot, armillaria). If branches and twigs are covered with white spores, study Dematohora or Rosellinia necatrix. Control by controlling irrigation, limiting watering and improving soil drainage. The ideal control method is to remove infected plants, especially roots, and remember to destroy and dispose of problematic plants.

Problems caused by excessive or improper pruning can also cause hedges to become thinner. Chuck correctly pointed out that his hedge was cut so that the top was narrower than the bottom. This avoids restricting sunlight on the lower limbs, which is a common problem with many types of hedges.

However, cutting can be troublesome. It is indeed a compact shrub, but it also causes branches to form on the surface and form dense branches and branches. These surface branches may be destroyed by sudden cold currents, drying out in cold windy weather and drought conditions. The damage may extend into the bushes, creating the open look that Chuck is experiencing. Treat branch death by trying more targeted hand pruning and patience to encourage new branches.

There are some pests that are attracted to privet. Scales-black California red and pit scales, to name a few. Black vine weevil, gray borer, clove borer, blisters, galls and rust mites can also be a problem. However, hardy Ligustrum is rarely severely damaged by insects.

Suggested alternatives to Ligustrum are flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida) and black hawthorn (Viburnum)

Sue Kittek is a columnist, writer and lecturer for Free Garden. Send questions to Garden Keeper via grdnkpr@gmail.com or send an email to: Garden Keeper, The Morning Call, PO Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105.

Planting: Use winter pansies, chopped vegetables and rope, small evergreen trees and holly to light up the winter landscape. Collect any remaining spring flowering bulbs and store them in a cool area at a temperature of about 40°F or lower for 8 to 12 weeks, then introduce forcibly. Sow seeds that require a cold period to germinate.

Seasonal: Buy gifts and gift cards for the gardeners on the Christmas list. Clean, inspect and repair the decorations before installation, and discard all damaged things. Secure all decorations to avoid damage or blow away. Remove the mushy leaves after frost. Remove used annuals and vegetable plants from pots and beds. Keep the path free of dead plants and leaves. Allow plants to use seeds as food for wild animals. If you are buying a live potted or burlap Christmas tree, find a suitable planting point, dig it out and store the soil in the garage, cover it or put it in a container.

Lawn: Rake, blow or cover fallen leaves on the lawn. The matted leaves can breed mold problems and prevent water from entering the soil. Keep freshly sown or turfed lawn watering; make up for rain in less than an inch. Fill holes and low spots in the lawn.

Housework: Bring easy-to-move flower pots and lawn decorations or wrap large statues to avoid damage in winter. Store empty clay, clay, or plastic pots in a dry, protected area to prevent cracking. Stop pruning before late winter or early spring. Mark out beds, newly planted plants, plants that break dormancy late in the spring, and delicate plants. Stay away from them when decorating or removing snow. Apply winter mulch after the ground freezes.

It rains less than an inch in a week. Water any newly planted plants at any time until the ground freezes. Check the stored amaryllis bulbs for new growth. Water and move to a warmer area, then gradually enter indirect light. Clean up the vegetable garden and compost garbage. Destroy or discard diseased or infested plants. From now until next spring, compost or fertilizer tops are used. Dump the standing water and remove any items that may collect rainwater. Check the caulking around doors and windows. Repair immediately to prevent the entry of rats, ladybugs and bed bugs. Repair or replace damaged screens and garden hoses.

Protect deer, rabbits and marmots from vulnerable plants. Reapply taste or odor deterrents. Clean and fill the bird feeder regularly. Clean up spilled seeds and empty shells. Dump, scrub, and refill the bird basin at least once a week. In cold weather, use a small heater to keep the water flowing.

Clear drains and direct rainwater runoff away from the foundation of the house.

Tools, equipment, and supplies: Clean and maintain summer/autumn equipment, then store or send in for repair.

Check winter equipment and repair or replace as needed. Use fresh gas, check and/or replace engine oil and spark plugs.

Safety: Keep pets, children and other people away from mowed or swept areas.

Store garden chemicals in a room away from pets and children. Discard obsolete in local chemical collection activities. Photograph storm damage and file it in time before cleaning up or repairing insurance claims. Watch for tick bites whenever you are outdoors and the temperature is about 50°F or warmer. Use an insect repellent containing DEET on the skin. Apply permethrin product to clothing. When working in the garden, wear light-colored clothes, long sleeves, a hat, and long pants. Stay hydrated. Drink water or other non-caffeine, non-alcoholic beverages. Even in cold weather, apply sunscreen, wear a hat, and limit sun exposure. Wear closed-toe shoes and gloves; use eye protection, and use ear protection when using any loud power tools.