Schedule Free Estimate

Maguire Blog

Your Local Arborist Experts Since 1999
Get In Touch
FILL OUT THIS FORM OR CALL US AT
(650) 719-2253 TO GET STARTED.
10% OFF
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium

How to Identify a Dead Tree (And What to Do About It)

Tree diseases caused by pests and pathogens infect forests all over the U.S., and as a result, tree mortality rates are increasing. Tree death is not as easy to identify as it may seem. How can you tell if you have a dying tree in your yard? 

Keep reading to learn how to identify a dead tree and what to do about it. 

Dead or Dying Tree Identification Tips 

Depending on the type of tree, you may be able to give a quick visual inspection and know it is not in good health. Some easily noticeable signs you may be in need of tree care or dead tree removal services include: 

  • Peeling bark with vertical seems or cracks

  • Smooth, bark-free patches on the trunk

  • Uneven foliage, roots, or leaning to one side

  • Bare branches in spring and summer

  • Thin, dry branches

  • Fungi or mushrooms surrounding the base

  • Small boreholes

However, trees such as birches, silver maples, redbuds, sycamores, and kousa dogwoods shed their paper-like bark in sheets. This is a natural part of the growth process for these trees and does not indicate it is diseased or dying. Other signs such as cankers, holes from insects, girdling roots, or yellow leaves are signs of an unhealthy paperbark tree. 

Additionally, evergreen trees show different signs of stress or death. As they typically keep their green needles all year long, severe discoloration or excessive loss of needles is a bad sign. 

Tree Diseases 

Anthracnose, canker diseases, and blight are among the most common conditions that affect trees

Anthracnose refers to a number of fungal diseases that cause dieback and black spots on leaves. It impacts many varieties of trees and is capable of causing severe damage. Anthracnose infections are spread through weather patterns, bugs, and gardening equipment.

Tree bark cankers are often caused by fungi that infect wounds or injuries, often appearing as a swollen uneven blister or a sunken lesion. Multiple cankers can kill even a healthy tree. However, tree arborist services can treat cankers and prevent further damage if the problem is caught soon enough. 

Tree blight is an umbrella term referring to contagious bacterial or fungal infections in trees. Tree blight pathogens travel via water or insects between trees, infect leaves or young branches, and make their way into the vascular system. If it makes it to the root system, the tree will show signs of death like discolored leaves, dry branches, and cankers. 

What to Do About Your Dead Tree 

If you think your tree is dead or dying, it’s best to call in a professional. Don’t try to treat or take down a sick tree yourself. A certified professional can: 

  • Identify contagious tree diseases and prevent the spread

  • Prune unhealthy parts of trees

  • Tend to injuries to prevent infections

  • Support stressed, at-risk, or unhealthy trees

  • Alert you to pest infestations

  • Remove dead, rotting, or dying trees safely

  • Recommend disease-resistant trees to add to your yard

Use a Professional Tree Care Service

Only a tree care professional knows the best way to care for your trees. That’s why an arborist consultation is crucial to diagnose and remove a dead tree safely.

Maguire Tree Care experts are here to help you care for your trees and ensure the health of your yard. Contact us to learn more about our services or book a consultation. 

Don’t delay.
Contact us today!