The Diaprepes root weevil (DRW), Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.), in combination with Phytophthora spp. causes one of the most severe decline syndromes known in Florida citrus. We compared the growth and survival of Hamlin orange trees budded to five rootstocks (C-22, C-32, and C-35 citrange, Cleopatra mandarin, Swingle citrumelo) in an experimental grove near Poinciana, FL. Both DRW and P. nicotianae are present and catastrophic tree decline is symptomatic. The trees were planted in September 2001, and half of the trees receive foliar and soil-applied pesticides for DRW suppression whereas the remaining trees receive no chemical treatment except for routine irrigation, weed control, and fertilizer applications. Trees receiving chemical protection had a faster growth rate (except Cleopatra mandarin), larger tree canopies, fewer adult DRW, and less tree decline than untreated trees. Trees on C-32, C-35, and Swingle citrumelo also tended to have higher growth rates, canopy volumes, and DRW populations but less tree decline than those on C-22 and Cleopatra mandarin. Root injury by DRW larvae appears to facilitate infection by P. nicotianae, and the combination of DRW and P. nicotianae is the primary cause of tree decline. In the summer of 2004, three hurricanes caused considerable wind and flooding damage to the experimental grove. Overall, 38.5% of the young trees sustained significant wind damage (i.e., uprooted, split trunks, broken branches). Trees receiving chemical treatment for DRW control suffered a disproportionate amount of wind damage (52.4%) compared to untreated trees (24.7%), probably because they had larger canopies and healthier root systems.