A tree rarely fails without warning. Most of the time there were signs, and nobody was looking. Here are the eight we watch for, and how to tell a tree that needs attention from one that is simply having a rough season.
Eight warning signs
1. Dead branches in the canopy
A few dead twigs are normal. Large dead limbs, especially in the upper crown, mean the tree is declining or has a problem in the trunk or roots. Dead branches are also the first to fall in a storm.
2. Cracks, splits and seams in the trunk
A vertical crack, a seam that is opening, or a split where two trunks join can mean the tree is failing structurally. Treat any widening crack as urgent.
3. Mushrooms or conks at the base
Fungi growing at the base or on the trunk often point to decay inside. The tree can look healthy on the outside while its roots or heartwood are rotting.
4. A new or growing lean
Many trees lean and are fine. A tree that starts to lean after a storm, or whose lean is increasing, especially with soil heaving on the opposite side, is a different matter.
5. Hollows and cavities
A hollow is not always a death sentence, but large cavities weaken the trunk. An arborist can judge how much sound wood is left.
6. Peeling bark and bare patches
Bark that falls away in sheets, or large areas of missing bark, can mean the tree is dying or has been injured. The tissue just under the bark is the tree’s plumbing.
7. Thin canopy and early leaf drop
A canopy that gets thinner each year, leaves that are small, discolored or drop in midsummer, and new sprouts around the lower trunk can all signal stress or pest damage.
8. Signs of pests
Small D-shaped exit holes in the bark of an ash tree, winding trails under peeling bark and thinning crowns are classic emerald ash borer damage. Ash trees showing these signs are very likely beyond saving and become brittle quickly.
A dying tree in the middle of a field is a different problem from one over your bedroom or driveway. The more valuable the target, the sooner it is worth a professional look.
What to do next
- Photograph it and note when you first saw the change.
- Keep people, cars and play areas out from under it if you see a hanging limb or an open crack.
- Call for an assessment. A trained eye can tell you whether pruning, cabling or removal makes sense.
- If a tree is touching a line, call the utility first and stay well away.
Dying does not always mean removal
Some trees recover with care: pruning out the dead wood, addressing soil or watering problems, or reducing weight on a weak limb. Others, like a leaning tree with failing roots, are past saving. An honest assessment tells you which you have, and we will say “leave it alone” when that is the answer. For trees that do have to come down, read our guide to what decides the price of a removal.
We will take a look, tell you honestly what we see and put a price on paper if work is needed.
