In the face of urban development, inappropriate fire management, and invasive alien trees such as pines and gums, silvertrees have been driven from about 74% of their natural range. Mortality of these short-lived trees is negligible after a burn, but then increases to about 5% per annum. During a longer term absence of burns however, sudden die-offs may occur, even in a matter of hours. This is believed to be the combined result of (warm) berg winds and diseased roots which are weakened by "Phytophthora" root rot which inhibits their water absorption.