Canker

Symptoms - Woody plant cankers are characterised by bark death where no new bark grows. Several types of canker can act as an entry point for other wood-decay organisms resulting in a toadstool or bracket-fungus.

If the entire circumference of a branch or trunk is affected with canker, the shoots and branches beyond may die back. The dying back of entire shrubs or trees is more likely to associated with root rot, or soil imbalance from water-logging or drought.