Yeah not looking too good Pal, Aussie natives, and I reckon even South Africans, (leucadendrons) can be difficult outside of their native habitat. Having said that both of those like similar conditions; neutral to slightly acidic soil, excellent drainage, and they hate root disturbance. In fact you can easily over care for them - both are very tolerant of dry conditions. Many also are not happy in humid conditions. Lime, by the way, will yellow the leaves and eventually kill them so I reckon the first thing Id do is check the ph. in the soil. Oh, and if you feed them use only fertilisers suitable for Aussie natives, and use it sparingly. Other than that good luck with 'em B.

As I have tried to make clear previously, I don't dispute that high P levels are relatively more toxic to Proteaceae than to other plant families, but I do believe that many rainforest grevilleas are less susceptible than WA species. Again its a relative thing, and I have certainly found one that isn't. A landscape supplier dumped a truckload of potting mix in my garden, close to some trees but about 6 metres from a G. baileyana. Some months afterwards it died, and on digging up the mix it was full of proteoid roots! Retrospectively, I have realised I have had a much higher proteaceae failure rate since using that mix, so I must find out what's in it. The seller told me it was fine for natives - you'd think that at my age I'd know better than to trust a salesperson, but my problem is I can remember back when most of them were trustworthy. Tony

Hi Suzi. I live in its native habitat (Grevillea robusta, 'silky-oak') and although I don't have it growing in my garden there are quite a few up and down my street. It is the tallest of the grevilleas, growing to 60 feet (18 metres) and, like many Aussie natives their residue will inhibit the growth of other plants beneath them. However the ones near me give very little indication of that, which makes me think that the soil in that raised bed in your picture might need enriching - garden compost, etc. I feel certain that once the tree is removed and the garden there dug over and enriched, you should have no problems. Mind you, palm tree fronds can also inhibit growth beneath them but it appears the area is clear of them. Regards B.

I'm no expert on this, though I've had the same problem. Checking my references, seems it could be caused by borers or minute insects that attack the bark and or sapwood, causing the tree to 'bleed' in defence of the problem. I'd clean away the 'bleeds' and check for holes or other damage to the bark and treat the area with methylated spirits. Metho won't hurt the tree but will kill any pests that are causing the problem.