What Is Wrong With My Marina Strawberry Tree?

Do the leaves have holes?

Are there a lot of white, wax-like material on your plant?

Are there any dark brown streaks on the wood where the bark had separated from the tree, silver or whitish flecks may appear on the inner bark surface?

Are there any reddish-brown streaks on the outer and inner bark, as well as gum or dark sap oozing from the diseased area?

Several species of leaf-feeding caterpillars will feed on Marina Strawberry tree's leaves. They may also feed on stems, flowers, and fruit. Handpick and destroy caterpillars, or spray plants with BTK if caterpillars are feeding. Many foliage-feeding caterpillar populations are controlled by general predators, parasites, or naturally occurring viruses.

Madrone psyllid (Euphyllura arbuti) is commonly found around Strawberry Tree flowers. It produces copious amounts of white, wax-like material. Madrone psyllids are not considered a major pest and can be easily controlled by pruning.

Annosus root disease infects the roots or butt of the host tree. May cause extensive root decay and gradual tree death. Bark may separate from the tree, revealing dark brown streaks on the wood beneath. Silver or whitish flecks may appear on the inner bark surface, with small whitish mycelial growths on the outer bark. Avoid wounding trees, as wounds may become infection sites. Borax can be applied to fresh cuts to avoid infection.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot. Phytophthora pathogens are favored by wet conditions, and the risk of disease can be reduced with good water management. The disease tends to affect plants in poorly drained areas, where susceptible plants are surrounded by standing water or saturated soil for prolonged periods. Provide adequate drainage and know the water needs of individual plants.

Twig dieback and trunk cankers damage and kill the cambium, which is responsible for tree growth. Vigorous trees may be able to tolerate multiple cankers for several years, but some infected trees rapidly decline and die within 1-2 years. Bark becomes discolored, then peels off to reveal blackened and cracked wood. The two diseases are often present together. Monitor trees for early signs of the diseases so that they can be caught early. Pruning infected branches, shoots, and flowering stalks can be somewhat effective at slowing the progression of the disease.