Camelia died from bug?

I have a Camellia Williamsii Debbie purchased this spring, initially healthy, but soon showed sign of stress and was dead by mid summer. I have just taken it back to the nursery where I purchased it. The proprietor examined it thoroughly. He said the roots are fine and just about alive although the rest above ground is dead. He thinks it has been attacked by a bug of some sort that has removed the bark. He thinks squirrels, mice, cats are unlikely as the wood under the bark is untouched. I would like to replace the plant but need to know what may have cause of death and any treatment to prevent this happening for a replacement.
The plant position was well drained, sunny

Two shots of the stem and one of part of the root ball.

Any help appreciated.

 

Could be vole damadge, Squirels would leave teth marks.

Have you cought it with the strimmer line at all?

 

The plant was in a border, not a lawn.

Thanks

Andrew

 

Andrew, take it back to the supplier and tell him you want it replaced or your money back. The roots are not fine, they are dead, and I would say the problem started BEFORE you bought the plant. If the guy gives you grief tell him you are going to trading standards. Most reliable retailers give a 2 year guarantee on all plants.

 

A 2 year guarantee, I didn't know that.....good info Dai :thumb:

 

It`s not compulsory, but a lot of retailers do it because it saves on poor publicity. Some suppliers give a lifetime guarantee. But I`ve yet to work out how that works.:D:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

Imagine, being able to take back an Oak tree, after say, 200 years :D

 

Freddy, I could never work out if it was YOUR lifetime or the plants. Can you imagine having a 4000 year old Redwood in your garden, and it suddenly dies.:eek: