What is this and is it dead?

[farmerbw]

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that an unruly shrub on my shared property line had dropped probably 95% of it's leaves. Upon looking closer I noticed it was covered in "spots". So I have a couple of questions. Pics below for identification.

1) What the heck is it?
2) What the heck is on it?
3) Any odds on survival or should I just cut it back/down and see what it does?
4) Is the "ick" on it "contagious to other plants? I've got a real hardy/overactive fig tree next to it that I'd prefer not to lose.

Up close leaf.

The "Ick"

TIA,
Brian.

 

[DaveO]

That's Euonymus kiautschovics and it's covered in scale. Scale is a huge problem with the whole genus, and has caused them to fall out of favor fast.
As defoliated as it is you probably can consider it dead. You can cut it back very hard and it will re-grow, but that will take a long time. The scale shouldn't be a problem with your Fig.

Dave

 

[farmerbw]

Thanks for the identifications Dave. :icon_thum I noticed it looked like that after you left the other week and kept forgetting to post and ask about it. Honestly I was hoping the remaining foliage would fall off and it wouldn't be a question as to it being dead. :gar-Bi

I never really liked it as it grew out of control and was hard to maintain when we moved in. It did however provide a good screen from the neighbors driveway and garage but is pretty invasive. I'm sure they're probably glad that it's dead/dying. I may see if I can get hook it to the truck and pull it up instead of cutting it back since I'd rather it not come back. Guess I'll have to find something else that likes shade and grows fast for screening now. :eusa_thin

Thanks again,
Brian.

 

[DaveO]

Try Ligustrum japonicum - Wax Leafed Ligustrum, or Myrica cerifera - Wax Myrtle.

Dave