How to Identify a Dead Tree (And What to Do About It)
Tree diseases caused by pests and pathogens infect forests all over the U.S., and as a result, tree mortality rates are increasing. Tree death is not as easy to identify as it may seem. How can you tell if you have a dying tree in your yard?
Keep reading to learn how to identify a dead tree and what to do about it.
Dead or Dying Tree Identification Tips
Depending on the type of tree, you may be able to give a quick visual inspection and know it is not in good health. Some easily noticeable signs you may be in need of tree care or dead tree removal services include:
Peeling bark with vertical seems or cracks
Smooth, bark-free patches on the trunk
Uneven foliage, roots, or leaning to one side
Bare branches in spring and summer
Thin, dry branches
Fungi or mushrooms surrounding the base
Small boreholes
However, trees such as birches, silver maples, redbuds, sycamores, and kousa dogwoods shed their paper-like bark in sheets. This is a natural part of the growth process for these trees and does not indicate it is diseased or dying. Other signs such as cankers, holes from insects, girdling roots, or yellow leaves are signs of an unhealthy paperbark tree.
Additionally, evergreen trees show different signs of stress or death. As they typically keep their green needles all year long, severe discoloration or excessive loss of needles is a bad sign.
Tree Diseases
Anthracnose, canker diseases, and blight are among the most common conditions that affect trees.
Anthracnose refers to a number of fungal diseases that cause dieback and black spots on leaves. It impacts many varieties of trees and is capable of causing severe damage. Anthracnose infections are spread through weather patterns, bugs, and gardening equipment.
Tree bark cankers are often caused by fungi that infect wounds or injuries, often appearing as a swollen uneven blister or a sunken lesion. Multiple cankers can kill even a healthy tree. However, tree arborist services can treat cankers and prevent further damage if the problem is caught soon enough.
Tree blight is an umbrella term referring to contagious bacterial or fungal infections in trees. Tree blight pathogens travel via water or insects between trees, infect leaves or young branches, and make their way into the vascular system. If it makes it to the root system, the tree will show signs of death like discolored leaves, dry branches, and cankers.
What to Do About Your Dead Tree
If you think your tree is dead or dying, it’s best to call in a professional. Don’t try to treat or take down a sick tree yourself. A certified professional can:
Identify contagious tree diseases and prevent the spread
Prune unhealthy parts of trees
Tend to injuries to prevent infections
Support stressed, at-risk, or unhealthy trees
Alert you to pest infestations
Remove dead, rotting, or dying trees safely
Recommend disease-resistant trees to add to your yard
Use a Professional Tree Care Service
Only a tree care professional knows the best way to care for your trees. That’s why an arborist consultation is crucial to diagnose and remove a dead tree safely.
Maguire Tree Care experts are here to help you care for your trees and ensure the health of your yard. Contact us to learn more about our services or book a consultation.