What term describes overall crown decline characterized by branch and leaf death?

The term that describes overall crown decline characterized by branch and leaf death is "dieback." This condition typically indicates that the plant is stressed or suffering from some underlying issue, which can affect its overall health and vitality. Dieback can result from various factors such as environmental stress, disease, or pest infestations. As a plant experiences dieback, you'll notice that the tips of branches and sometimes entire branches gradually die off, leading to a thinning crown and potentially a decline in the plant's overall structure and appearance.

This terminology is distinct from others that address different aspects of plant health. For example, root rot refers specifically to a condition affecting the root system, limiting a plant's ability to take up water and nutrients but not specifically addressing the crown. Crown gall relates to a bacterial infection that causes tumor-like growths on the crown of a plant, while foliage wilt involves the loss of turgor pressure in leaves, resulting in drooping but does not necessarily imply overall crown decline. These distinctions highlight why "dieback" is the most appropriate term for this overall crown decline scenario.