Dieback
/DY-bak/🦠 Diseases● Basic
Also known as: twig dieback, branch dieback, tip dieback
A condition where twigs, branches, or stems die progressively from the tip backward toward the main trunk or crown. Dieback can be caused by fungal pathogens, bacterial infections, drought stress, root damage, nutrient deficiency, winter injury, or chemical exposure. It is a symptom rather than a specific disease, and diagnosis requires examining the pattern and associated signs to identify the underlying cause.
Etymology
English die + back (returning direction)
Example
“The progressive dieback of this ash tree's canopy, starting from the outer branches, is typical of ash dieback disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus).”