If you have spent a lot of time with your trees, then you probably have an easy time telling when something is off. For example, peeling bark, brown leaves, and the growth of mold probably stick out quickly. On the other hand, figuring out just how much trouble your tree is in can be a bit more difficult.
If you are wondering how you can tell your tree is dead or dying, there are a few signs that you should watch for. Then, what should you do about this? There are a few key points that you should understand.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dying Tree?
First, it is important to understand if there is a difference between a sick tree and a dead tree. If you have a sick tree on your hands, you should intervene quickly to try to preserve it. On the other hand, if you have a dead tree, this is a huge risk to your property and people who might be in the area. Therefore, you still need to respond appropriately to mitigate this safety risk.
Some top signs of a dead tree include:
- You are noticing that there are multiple branches present that do not have any bugs that are alive
- You can see mushrooms that are growing near the roots of the tree
- There are cracks that are present in the trunk
- You notice there is bark that is peeling
If you spot these signs, they are clues that you should act immediately. On the other hand, you may need to take a closer look to come up with the ultimate answer.
How Can You Tell if Your Tree Is Dying?
One of the first methods that you can use is relatively straightforward. Take out a pocket knife and scratch one of the twigs of the tree. If you find that the branch is still moist and green underneath the surface, the tree is still alive.
On the other hand, if you noticed that the branch is brown and brittle, there are a few other steps that you need to take. These include:
- Try scratching a few of the other twigs to see if they are green and alive
- Take a closer look at the trunk and look for signs of splits, cracks, or peeling bark
- Check if there are any mushrooms present at the base of the tree
- Look for signs of fungus that may have made a home on the tree
- Take a look at the canopy and see if there are branches that are about to fall off
- Look and see if there are leaves missing from the branches
If you are tree failed all of these inspection tests, it is probably dead. In this situation, you need to reach out to professionals for assistance with tree removal.
If Your Tree Is Dying, How Can You Save It?
If your tree is still alive, but has fallen ill, it is important for you to act quickly in order to save it. Even though there are several steps that you can take, you should reach out to a professional arborist for assistance.
There are a number of reasons why your tree might be sick. Perhaps it was damaged in a recent storm. Maybe there are animals that have invaded the tree. Perhaps there is a fungal infection involving. The only way that you are going to be able to act appropriately is if you know what is wrong with your tree.
An arborist will be able to inspect your tree closely. Then, he or she will provide you with an accurate diagnosis. Finally, you can work with the arborist closely to develop a treatment plan that will save your tree. You care deeply about your trees. Therefore, if one of them has fallen ill, you need to take the appropriate steps.
Contact Pope Tree Service in San Diego for Help with Dead and Dying Trees
If you have a tree that has died, you need to act quickly to remove it before it damages your property. If you have a tree that is sick, you need to act quickly to save its life. For both of these situations, it is important to reach out to trained professionals for assistance. That is where we can help you. We are Pope Tree Service and we are proud to serve the greater San Diego area. We have an unparalleled level of experience when it comes to sick and dying trees. We would be happy to help you as well. A friendly, compassionate arborist from our team will work closely with you to provide you with a comprehensive plan of action. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!