Trees on your property can add value to your landscape by enhancing its visual appeal and providing shade. However, the last thing you want in your yard is a dead tree due to its unsightly appearance and potential hazards. Not everyone knows how to tell if a tree is dying, but having this knowledge can help you make informed decisions about your property and its safety.
Below are five common warning signs that your tree may be dying.
Why Professional Tree Service in Phoenix, AZ, Matters
Before reviewing the warning signs, it’s important to understand the importance of professional tree care. Because of the complexities involved, tree maintenance is best handled by professionals. An experienced tree care team familiar with local species has the expertise and tools necessary to keep trees strong and beautiful.
These professionals can handle everything from emergency storm clean-up to routine trimming and pruning. If your property contains a hazardous tree, a professional assessment can determine whether it would benefit from removal or another solution. Learn more about partnering with a tree service in Phoenix, AZ, and what these experts can do for your landscape.
Five Ways To Tell if a Tree Is Dying
Learn how to tell if a tree is dying by watching for these key warning signs.
1. Changes to Foliage
One of the clearest indicators that a tree is experiencing a significant health issue is changes to its leaves. Leaves that become discolored out of season or have a smaller, misshapen appearance could be the result of tree diseases, severe damage, or drought. Insect infestations can also cause leaves to change their appearance.
Sometimes, foliage changes are fixable with proper treatment. Scheduling an assessment and soil testing from an arborist can shed light on the cause of discoloration, helping you understand when to call a tree professional.
2. Unusual Bark Shedding
Peeling or cracked bark doesn’t always mean a tree is dying, but it significantly alters structural stability. If you notice structural issues alongside bark loss, managing a dangerous leaning tree should become an immediate priority to protect nearby properties. It could signify a lack of nutrients due to poor soil quality or a wood-boring insect infestation. However, if the tree loses its bark due to an infection, removing it may be necessary to protect nearby vegetation.
3. Extensive Root Damage or Decay
Trees need strong, healthy root systems for nourishment and stability. Physical root damage from lawn care equipment, construction work, and landscaping projects can be distressing for the tree, but avoiding common winter tree-care mistakes can help protect root zones. The more damage the roots sustain, the greater the impact on the tree’s overall health and structural integrity. Severe root decay compromises ground stability. When severe storms hit weakened roots, knowing if a partially uprooted tree survive helps you choose between immediate removal or emergency replanting support.
4. Visible Fungus or Rot
As you learn how to tell if a tree is dying, you might find it surprising to learn that mushrooms and other fungal growths on trees aren’t a good sign. Fungal growth on trunks or roots often indicates internal wood decay because the rot is a food source for fungus.
It’s sometimes possible to treat fungus and rot in trees, but it’s not a guarantee. As soon as you notice mushrooms or other fungi growing on your tree, especially around the base of the trunk near the roots, contact an arborist for an assessment. If the rot or fungal infection spreads too far into the tree, removal may be the only option.
5. No New Growth
When a tree is dying, it won’t be able to send nutrients to all of its limbs. An insect infestation, a fungal infection, or a lack of water and sunlight can cause this problem.
When that happens, you’ll likely notice missing leaves and many dead or brittle branches lying around the tree in addition to a lack of new growth. Internal decay and malnutrition can cause a tree to stop budding and producing foliage in its growing season, making it crucial to learn why fall is the best time to trim.
If you’re unsure whether the tree is dead or dying, you can perform a scratch test. Simply scratch your fingernail or the edge of a knife on the outer bark to reveal the inner layer of wood. If the second layer is green, the tree may just need a bit of time before blooming.
Seek Professional Assistance With Your Dead or Dying Tree Today
After learning how to tell if a tree is dying, choosing a tree service is the next step. It is best to hire an arborist to diagnose the exact problem and implement the best solution safely. Elite Tree Service is a trusted tree care provider proudly serving residents throughout Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding areas. Whether your tree has leaf discoloration and premature leaf drop or a lack of new growth due to rot, we can diagnose its problem and implement the ideal solution.
Our professionals go the extra mile to ensure that we provide reliable services with stellar results. Call Elite Tree Service today at (602) 603-8393 to request a tree assessment.
