HI Phyllis,

I've not had the experience, so I'm repeating what I've been told. It's either root competition or something is eating the roots. The most often thing cited for this is competition from Maple roots. I think you have to dig one up to see what the problem might be.

bkay

Here is a link that might be useful: tree root strangulation

I had the tree root strangulation, with a maple tree, about five years ago, but moved, with success, all of the afflicted plants, and they have been great since their move. These were growing in the hosta bed, but perhaps too many. I have dug them up and extended the bed. The ones really suffering are Gold Edger, Gold Drop, Ghinko Craig, Lemon-Lime and Golden Scepter. I would say it's all the golds, but Ghinko Craig is not a gold. They all have scads of new eyes.

Gonna have to dig one up and see whats going on... post pictures of the hostas with root system..
John