look closely at the trunk/branches. i bet you will see hundreds of white dots (some kind of disease or bugs). happened to us... we had to cut them down and plant new bushes.

We have a number of 6' laurels in front of our house that have clusters of dead brown spots. Like the whole branch is dead, even though the other 80% of the plant is healthy, green and flowering. I'm guessing it's not winter burn since it's only affecting a small part of the plant. Any suggestions for what is causing this and how to fix it? I think they are Otto Luyken laurels -- they are currently full of white flowers.
Thanks!