English laurel with major dieback help

in this English laurel hedge there is a multi-stemmed section that has died. The branches have fungus growing on them where the plant is dying.
I noticed that one branch in the dead cluster had a big scar where a previous branch had ripped off. Wondering if some earlier snow /wind/ breakage damage created an opening for rot?
Is the whole hedge at risk?
Is there a fungal problem ? Or something else
Thanks for sharing

 

Just this past week, I have heard from 4 experienced garden friends bemoaning the appearance of serious fungal diseases on fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs. Suspects are species of verticillium, fusarium and phytophthora - all soil-borne fungi. Excessive rainfall and relatively warm temperatures are taking the blame for fostering these diseases here on the SW coast of BC.

I couldn't say what might be the specific cause of fungal problems on your laurel hedge, nor a solution; only the observation that these fungi can spread to other plants. Even though spores could well remain after the tree or shrub is dead, I would be tempted to 'cut' my losses by taking diseased plants out as soon as I could.