Key takeaways
- Check for leaves, flexible green twigs and live buds first
- Bark that is loose, cracked or missing in long strips is a warning
- Mushrooms and soft wood near the base point to root or trunk decay
- A tree that is declining can often be helped if you act early
Start with the easy checks
Scratch a small twig with your thumbnail in spring or summer. Green and moist underneath means the twig is alive, while brown and dry means it is dead. Do this on several branches around the tree, because one dead branch is not the whole story.
Look at the crown in full leaf. Thin foliage, small leaves, early fall color in August and large bare patches all say the tree is stressed. A crown that is bare while the neighbors are green is a strong clue.
Read the trunk and base
Bark that peels off in sheets, vertical cracks, sunken patches and oozing liquid can all point to disease or injury. Mushrooms or shelf-like growths near the base usually mean wood decay inside the trunk or roots.
Look for soil heaved on one side, roots lifted out of the ground and a trunk leaning more than it did last year. Those are signs that the roots are no longer holding the tree.
What to do next
A dying tree is not always a lost cause. Drought, soil compaction, construction damage and some pests can be treated, and a tree with strong structure can recover. A tree health assessment finds the cause.
If the tree is dead or has major decay, plan a removal before it becomes brittle, especially if it stands near a house, drive or play area.
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Quick answers
How long does a dying tree take to fall?
It varies from months to years. Dead wood gets brittle, so limbs can fail at any time, especially in wind or ice.
Can I water a dying tree back to health?
If drought is the cause, deep watering can help. If roots or trunk are decayed, watering will not fix the problem.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.