Waxleaf ligustrum spots

[Martha]

I have a hedge of waxleaf ligustrum shrubs, approximately 60-70 plants along a coral.* There are oak trees near-by, and the coral is surrounded by a pecan orchard in Texas.* The shrub planting is approximately 8-9 years old and 8 feet tall.** It has been pruned only occasionally, and watered regularly (2-3 times per week)*in the Spring and Summer, but not usually in the winter months, unless during extremely dry periods.* We observed today that there are large (1/2" diam) brown spots on many leaves all along the 100 foot lenght of the shrub.* Many leaves are turning yellow and falling.* Upon closer examination, there appears to be a scale along the stems and miniscule scale-like attachments to the underside of the leaves.* The brown spots do not appear to be alive with spores, as best we can tell.* We cannot see any visible insect activity.* Is this a disease problem or a water or nutrition*issue?* Is this enough information to identify the problem or should I attach a photo?*

*

[backyardgardener]

Some links to read
Fungi : Leaf Spots

Leaf spots are caused by fungi or bacteria. Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular, with a water soaked or yellow-edged appearance. Insects, rain, dirty garden tools, or even people can help its spread.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG022
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20o?g...ican_Invasives

Not much help, but it may lead you to an anwser.

Backyard

[Newt]

Hi Martha,

Sounds like you may have scale insects as well as a fungal problem going on.* It sounds like you are watering too much if these are established plants.*

Btw, these plants are considered invasives in Texas, so if this is a new planting, I would recommend you remove them and plant something that isn't invasive.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...nts/invasives/
http://www.floridata.com/ref/L/ligu_luc.cfm

Ligustrum also get white peach scale.
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG189/html/White...%20_Scale.HTML
http://images.google.com/images?um=1...=Search+Images

You can use an organic horticultural oil for the scale insects called Organocide.* It's made from sesame seeds.* Don't confuse it with the synthetic Organicide.* Note the different spelling.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/no...her/not45.html

Newt