Beech Hedge Death: Secondary Fungus, Primary Bark Injury Suspected

Fungus Is Secondary

Waxy "melted wax" growth on dead plants = basidiomycete fungus invading after something else killed the plant.

Find the Primary Cause

• Inspect lower 2 ft of trunks on dead plants.
• Look for bark injury (string trimmer, animal, frost crack) at ground level.
• Bark damage = entry point for decay fungi.

Action

Remove dead plants. Monitor adjacent "healthy" ones for same basal injury. Improve drainage if winter wetness noted.