I have 4 yr. old Holly bushes w/leaves that are turning brown on the top? What could be causing this?

Karen J
by Karen J
We let them grown to their full height before trimming and after waiting all this time, I afraid we may have to pull them up! :( The ones planted in the backyard have never been trimmed and they're turning brown also.
  8 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 29, 2012
    Could you post a photo, Karen? What do you mean when you say you let them grow to their full height before trimming? How much did you prune them?
  • Karen J Karen J on Apr 29, 2012
    Yes, I will post a pic tomorrow. Per the planting instructions, they suggested we let them grow to the desired height before trimming. Up til now, they've been growing beautifully and are now about 4 feet high; this is only our second time trimming them since last summer. The brown portion looks like they've been scorched.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 30, 2012
    The photo will help. Are they in sun or shade?
  • Karen J Karen J on Apr 30, 2012
    In the morning, the once located in the front of the house are in full sun; midday the ones located on the right side and backyard are in full sun.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on May 01, 2012
    I think your hollies have some winter damage, which would explain the bleaching of the leaves before they turn brown. They're particularly sensitive to this in the exposed locations you have. You can trim the brown portions and the rest of the plants should not be affected. For preventive measures, check out this link from Perdue University's Extension Service: http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/weeklypics/6-2-08.html
  • Trish Butler Trish Butler on Jul 26, 2015
    My Holly bushes have sharp points on them. These don't. I had to cut my bushes way back this year because of the drought in Ca.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jul 27, 2015
    Always watch the time of year you prune. At what time of year did you notice browning?
  • Trish Butler Trish Butler on Jul 29, 2015
    I cut it way back in March and it is green and healthy with so many new sprouts on it. It has grown a quarter of it's size back. This is a bush (tree) that was ignored for so many years and we bought the property in Oct. of last year. I see many years of joy from this Holly Bush.