Is my tree dying?

The chances are that if you are at the stage where you have to ask that question, the answer could very easily be yes. We usually don’t notice disease in trees until it gets more advanced. In this post, we will go through the ways that you can help you determine if your tree is dying. 

Damage to the Trunk

Examine the trunk of the tree. Has it been damaged? If it has been severely damaged, the tree is probably not going to survive it. 
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Look for cracks that extend quite far vertically. These are usually a good indication that the tree might be dying. 

Bark Sloughing Off

Just like with our skins, the bark of a tree is the outer covering that protects it from the outside elements. And, also like our skins, the old bark will slough off and be replaced by new bark. That is natural. 

What is not natural, however, is for the old bark not to be replaced. If there are areas where you just see plain wood, and no new bark, your tree could be sick. 

Fungi often grow between the bark and the inside of the tree and this causes the bark to come off. Have a look at the tree where the bark has come off. Is there any fungus or mold growing there? What does the surface look like? 

Take out a small piece of bark from the opposite side of the tree and see how this color and texture on that side corresponds to the other side. If they are quite different, then the tree is likely diseased. If a fungus has made it this far, it usually means that the tree cannot be saved. 

Damaged or Bare Branches

Have the trees lost their leaves before they should have, or do they seem to have held on to them longer than they should have? 

These could both indicate that the tree is in trouble. 
You can also cut into one of the branches to check if the tree is alive or dead. Start by breaking off a twig or very small branch. Check the area where you made the break. Is the wood inside wet or dry? If it is wet, it means that the tree is still alive for the moment. 

If it is dry inside, try moving on to a branch closer to the trunk and scratch some of the bark off so that you can see if there is any sap or green wood closer to the trunk. Dry wood is a sign that that branch is dead. If this is the case with most of the branches, the tree is probably dying. 

Damaged Roots

This is one that is difficult to diagnose. But signs to look for include a tree that has started to lean significantly and small branches coming out of the base of it. If you need the best tree service Brunswick GA has to offer, give us a call.

Knowing for sure that the tree is dying might require the services of an expert in the field, but if the above signs are present, there is a good chance that your tree is either dying or dead already.