Euonymus Hedge Sudden Decline: Scale and Heat Stress

Six large, 12-year-old euonymus bushes in Georgia are dying from the top down, worst in shade. Temperatures over 100°F with no rain.

Diagnosis: likely euonymus scale infestation (check undersides of leaves and stems) compounded by extreme heat and drought.

Treatment: spray with broad-spectrum insecticide for scale, water heavily during heat wave, and prune hard in fall to stimulate fresh growth.