Sometimes the tree has been completely dead, on other occasions the top has gone but lots of fresh growth is coming from the base of the trunk. As the problem is almost entirely in the bottom half of the truffière my diagnosis is waterlogging. The Holm Oak is a Mediterranean species and thrives in dry conditions. But don't worry, we have plenty of trees in reserve and all owners have had, or will have, their tree replaced by one of the same age.