When trees start appearing damaged, it’s important to take action as soon as something is noticed. But when is it too late to save a tree from dying? Here is a breakdown to help you spot when a tree might be dying or already dead, as well as what to do if the tree can no longer be saved.
Is My Tree Dying or Dead?
When a tree is diseased, there is still a chance for it to be saved. However, once it is already dead, it poses a large risk to your home. It is imperative to be able to recognize the difference and know which steps to take based on the situation.
Some symptoms of a dead tree include:
- Cracks in the trunk
- Fungus growing near the roots or on the trunk
- Branches with no living buds
You’ll want to keep an eye out for these symptoms and check on the branches and roots to best understand if your tree can still be saved.
How Can I Know if My Tree is Dying?
The first place to check on the health of your tree is the trunk. Be sure to inspect the trunk and look for any vertical cracks. If there are deep or harsh cracks, the tree is likely in bad health. In this case, you should check to see if the tree has bark. A healthy tree will have bark fall off and grow more to replace it, but a sick tree will have smooth areas of wood with no bark.
To best know the health of your tree, perform a scratch test. Using a small knife, scratch the outside of one of the branches and if it is green and moist inside, it is healthy. Repeat this on a few different branches to be sure.
If the scratch test reveals brown and brittle branches, there are mushrooms or other fungi, or there are large cracks in the trunk, it may be that the tree is dead.
What Do I Do When My Tree is Dead?
If your tree has several of these symptoms, you should contact an arborist as soon as possible to inspect it and remove it if necessary. The expert team at Anderson Tree Care understands that trees have great value both sentimentally and environmentally, which is why every step to save the tree will be taken.
How Can I Save My Dying Tree?
If your tree passed the scratch test, the next step is to rehabilitate it so that it doesn’t die. The best way to do this is by contacting a certified arborist at Anderson Tree Care to perform a tree risk assessment and help you best preserve the tree.
Whether your tree can still be saved or if you feel it is past saving, contact Anderson Tree Care and get a Free Estimate for the highest quality tree services in Central Florida.