Foliage is sparse, giving the tree an unthrifty appearance.
New growth is usually absent, but if it occurs, new leaves are small and of poor color.
Small branches die back in the top of the tree, allowing other branches to become sunburned because of the lack of foliage. Diseased trees frequently set a heavy crop of small fruit. The absence of feeder roots prevents the uptake of moisture, and the soil under diseased trees stays wet even though the tree appears wilted. Roots of pencil size or larger are seldom attacked by the fungus. The soil fungus, Phytophthora cinnamomi, thrives in areas of excess soi1 moisture and poor drainage.