I have a Fukien Tea tree that I have had for about 3 years now. This spring / summer, I noticed that the leaves have been loosing color, turning brown / yellow and I have had no new growth. I gave the tree a once over today and found at the base of many of the leaves and growth there seems to be a honeycomb type bulb with scaly /fluffy white substance (kind of like cob webs). Is this some type of pest or fungus?

… a picture might help….

Congratulations on keeping fukiens alive more than a few months. 3 years is an amazing result for that fussy species. Please tell us how you managed it so far. Care routines, placement and climate, the works.

I “thought” I included the pictures….trying again

It would appear you have gall. Think plant cancer caused by any number of vectors, typically gall wasps & mites. Healthy, mature plants are not usually bothered by this. It's of no concern when it appears on leaves, merely cosmetic in that instance.

But when it appears on roots, stems, branches or sites of growth, like leaf buds, it can be devastating for an already unhealthy plant. Pruning the sites of infection, sealing the wound and praying are really all you can do right now.

I'm really terribly sorry and hate to be the bearer of bad news.