What’s killing my Sansho Pepper?

Hey folks, have a Sansho Pepper (Zanthoxylum Piperitum) here in Northern Alabama, where it *should* be doing fine. In fact, it is planted mere feet from its cousin, the sechuan pepper, which is doing amazing.

But the leaves here seem to be burnt by something. Any thoughts?

I think something is eating your roots or the soil is too wet/compact.  Hard to really tell from here.  Potentially a mold/mildew but I suspect root issues from pest to make up of soil/nutrition.

Thanks, Harry. There was a small amount of mulch over the soil that had the roots a bit wetter than they like, perhaps. I moved it - hopefully that helps.