We have 14 Holly Bushes in backyard landscape beds.* They have been in place for 10+ years and have been pruned every year.* This year, all of the bushes are experiencing some type of distress or disease.* We have found no insects, and spraying with Ortho Plant Disease Control and Orthene has not helped.* The problem is that new leaves are either dying or are being eaten by something.* The result leaves dead new leaf stems on the outer edges of the bushes where new leaves would ordinarily appear.* The buses otherwise seem healthy and there are plenty of new berries.* If I did not know better, I would speculate that deer are getting to the bushes and eating the new leaves, leaving the stems, but this is not likely because there is a 5 foot chain link fence protecting the area, and there are dogs next door.* Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem is?
