With the weather being like it's been, I almost feel silly asking this, but is the soil damp/wet? Have you been watering it or plants around its base? What type of soil do you have? Is your tree possibly planted too deep?

Vitex is pretty pest and disease free for the most part, but it is suseptable to root rot if not in well drained soil, if watered too much, or planted too deep.

Also.....make sure that some varmit isn't chomping at the roots. I have two and haven't had any problems yet.

Thanks, will look and see if planted to deep. I did not see anything eating on or around it. Thanks Patricia