How do you know if a tree is dying or if it’s just a little ill? With a sick tree, it can be tricky to tell the difference, but Brooke Tree Service, Millis’ professional tree removal specialists, is here to help. In this article, we’re clearing up the confusion.
Why Is It Important to Know the Difference?
A dead tree is more likely to fall over in a storm. It can sometimes even just topple because it’s top-heavy and the tree roots can’t support it anymore. When that load comes crashing down, it can crush people, obliterate a car, or crash through a roof. If it falls onto a neighbor’s property, you’re liable for all the damages.
It’s sad to think that your tree is dying, and you might want to try and save it, but sometimes the potential risk is too high.
What Are Signs That Your Tree Is Dying?
Keep and eye out for the following signs to determine if your tree can be saved or not.
1. Many Dead Branches
Are there lots of branches littering the ground, even though the wind was relatively calm? When dying, the tree can’t support the weight of its branches, and they crash to the ground. With a dead tree, this problem intensifies so much that the slightest breeze can dislodge wood.
Do yourself a favor and cut one of the fallen branches at its thickest point. Is there any green tissue inside? If not, the branch was dead when it fell.
2. Premature Leaf Drop
Healthy trees hold onto their leaves for as long as possible because they produce energy through photosynthesis in the leaves. The leaves are likely to change color first, but this is not always the case.
3. Peeling Bark
Sometimes a tree might lose some bark due to stress or disease, and it can recover. The loss of the bark leaves it more open to infection, however, and so the more that is missing, the more likely the tree is to die.
4. Vertical Cracks or Massive Open Wounds
Trees can heal some wounds, but vertical cracks are usually a sign that the tree is splitting, and this may indicate a weakness in the trunk. In some cases, this could indicate rotting or heart rot. Massive wounds leave the tree vulnerable to disease, and if the tree doesn’t heal, it might be dying.
5. Abnormal Growths
Abnormal growth can be due to the relatively harmless powdery mildew or a sign of more serious heart rot. Fungus growing on a tree is never a good sign, and if you don’t deal with it soon, it can kill the tree. Look for soft spots in the trunk, rotting, and fungus around the roots.
What causes trees to die? This is a question that you’ll need to answer if you want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Contact Us for Advice
Do you suspect your tree is dying? Contact Brooke Tree Service and find out for sure. Speak to us about a risk evaluation and maybe consider hiring a professional tree removal service by dialing (508) 613-5044.