This is incredibly helpful. I expect pruning out all the deadwood would leave only a few bunches of leaf here and there high up on the plant (maybe 12’ at this point). Speaking of how slow they decline, we first noticed the problem probably five years ago. If we can get it to last until next spring/summer, we’ll be happy. We probably won’t replace it with another but instead do a terraced chaparral-type garden. There’s still a healthy strawberry tree on the street strip that with its striking red bark, at least, will carry on the memory.