You watered it when it was going wrong. So you ignored your entire hedge until you noticed this ?

But if you have a big garden with long hedges you can't be watering them all the time and a 50 year old hedge will have deep roots and I would never think of watering it.
If drought was the problem surely the whole hedge would be suffering? I haven't been able to find anything on diseases of beech in the UK except a rare new one that attacks larch and has been know to infect beech, but it seems pretty unlikely to be that. Have you checked the bark near the ground? Field voles can eat round the trunks of shrubs and small trees and we lost a large cotoneaster that way. If you find it has been chewed through you could sprinkle chilli pepper nearby to deter any further damage.
If you add your county on your home page it can make it easier to advise you in future questions.

That's a bit unfair Pimpernel! This is an old established hedge we're talking about. It shouldn't need any attention apart from trimming to shape.

It does sound as if it's been suffering from the drought we had. I hope it recovers for you. In my opinion, you did the right thing watering it when you realised it had a problem. Don't forget that beech is really late coming into leaf in spring. Have you tried the scratch test on it? Scrape away a little bit of bark with a fingernail. If it's green underneath that twig is alive, if it's brown that bit's dead.

Without further info i guess Steragram or Beattie probably have your answer .Pimpernel i assume thinks the miles of neat green countryside hedgerows are fussed over by farmes with watering cans,i think not!.

It wasn't meant to sound that blunt or be a criticism. Many a plant has suffered and died due to my own lack of care I can assure you. So I apologise Carol if that is how you read it.

It was more surprise, that's why I used a question mark. The hedge is 50 years old and obviously loved. I assumed (should never do that) the boundary was with a pavement or drive. I can't be the only person that waters a garden hedge, I used to mulch mine in Spring and Autumn.

Dgw: My Grandparents lived in rural Wiltshire and their garden was the boundary between two farms. I have from time to time assisted the farmer cut, lay and maintain a country hedge :)

Pimpernel, I sympathise - I write things that "weren't meant to sound like that " and it is a horrible shock when you discover you've upset somebody. But if you re read it you will see it sounded a bit sarky?

Steragram. I am not Shocked. Written text is subjective, did Dgw appear rude to you?

Apologies to pimpernel if i appeared rude ,my issue was he made absolutely no attempt to help answer the question but responded in a condescending manner that would make members reluctant to ask questions.

Actually I asked what I thought was a relevant question regarding the care of the hedge. Was supposed to go something like this.

Q. "So you ignored your entire hedge until you noticed this ? "

Possible Ans. " No, the hedge is kept well maintained, fed annually."

Q. " Do you Mulch from time to time."

So you see Dgw: there was neither rudeness or condescension intended. I was asking Carol about the upkeep.

Not really, he was only responding to what it appeared to three of us that you were saying. I'm sure we are all glad that you didn't mean it as it sounded. I was sympathising with you for a reaction you didn't have, so I wish I 'd kept quiet now!

OK.

Back to the Question, if it is not drought or neglect. I can only think of two natural things that would affect a Beech. Coral Spot or Honey Fungus.

Thanks Pimpernel, would you mind explaining Coral Spot & Honey Fungus, Carol

I love you Carol.......Pimpernel is off the naughty step.

Now you're asking, I was hoping drought. Coral spot develops on dead shoots and causes more die back. look for pink/ red lumps at the inner most end of the die back. If it is there cut it out and burn everything.

If it is Honey fungus... it exploits weakness in all your trees and shrubs. Best thing to do is keep them all fed and healthy. Any sign at all of decay in woody shrubs, get rid.

Send a Picture if you can.

take a look here

http://www.horticolour.com/diseaseguide.html