Trees add incredible value to your landscape, offering shade, beauty, and a habitat for local wildlife. However, trees are living organisms with finite lifespans, and spotting the signs of a dying tree early can save you from property damage or personal injury. While some symptoms are obvious, others require a closer look. Keep reading to learn how to spot a dead or dying tree on your property.
Visual Cues
The most straightforward way to assess tree health involves looking at the canopy and branches. A healthy tree will have a full, vibrant canopy during the growing season. If you notice bare branches or sections where leaves refuse to grow, the tree is struggling to transport nutrients. Brown, brittle leaves that cling to branches long into winter also indicate a problem.
Inspect the trunk for bark damage. Healthy bark covers the tree seamlessly. If you see deep cracks, splits, or large areas where bark is falling off, it means the tree’s internal structure is weak. A tree cannot survive without intact bark to protect its delicate inner layers from pests and disease.
Structural Issues
Another way to spot a dead or dying tree on your property is to inspect its roots and trunk. A sudden lean indicates a severe root failure. While some trees grow at an angle naturally, a new or increasing lean suggests the roots can no longer anchor the heavy trunk. Look for heaving soil around the base on the side opposite the lean, which confirms the roots are pulling out of the ground.
Root damage is harder to see but equally dangerous. Excavation, construction, or soil compaction can crush or sever roots. If you see slimy or decaying roots near the surface, or if fungi are growing directly on the root flare, the root system is rotting. Without a healthy root system, the tree will eventually fall.
Signs of Disease and Infestation
Nature will also provide clues when a tree is weak. Fungal growth, such as mushrooms or shelf-like brackets growing on the trunk, is a major red flag. These fungi feed on decaying wood, meaning the tree is rotting from the inside out. Once you see external fungal bodies, the tree is likely dead or dying.
Insect activity also signals poor health. While bugs live on all trees, an infestation of carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles suggests the wood is dead or dying. These insects prefer soft, decaying wood for their nests. Seeing sawdust around the base of the tree or tiny holes in the bark usually means a pest infestation.
Taking Action for Safety
Identifying a dead tree is only the first step. Once you determine that the tree is dead and needs removal, you’ll need to enlist the help of tree and stump removal services near you. A dying tree can collapse and damage infrastructure, like your home, on a property, or spread disease and pests to other trees and shrubbery.
Removing a tree, especially a large one or one near a home or building, is dangerous without professional expertise. Once you find a dead or dying tree on your property, take the proper steps to remove it immediately to protect your home and other trees and plants on the property.
