A dead tree near the house is a risk, and it gets more expensive to remove the longer it stands. But a tree that looks rough isn’t always dying. Here’s how to tell the difference, using signs you can check from the ground.
Quick checks
The scratch test. Scrape a small patch of bark on a twig with your thumbnail. Green, moist wood underneath means that branch is alive. Brown and dry means it’s dead. Check several branches on different sides of the tree.
The bend test. Live twigs bend. Dead twigs snap.
Leaf-out timing. In spring, compare the tree with others of the same kind nearby. A tree that leafs out weeks late, or only partly, is struggling.
Warning signs
- Dieback from the top. Bare branches at the top of the crown in summer, often the first sign of root problems or emerald ash borer in ash trees.
- Bark falling off in sheets, or bark that sounds hollow when tapped.
- Mushrooms or conks at the base or on the trunk. These are the fruiting bodies of fungus decaying the wood inside.
- Cavities and cracks. Deep cracks in the trunk, or hollow areas you can see into.
- Leaning that’s new or getting worse, especially with soil heaving up on the opposite side.
- Lots of sprouts from the base or trunk, which often means the tree is under serious stress.
- Woodpecker activity. Heavy woodpecker damage often means insects are feeding under the bark.
- Small D-shaped holes in ash bark. That’s emerald ash borer.
Dying, dead or just stressed?
Stressed: some thin foliage or early leaf drop after a hot, dry summer. Many trees recover with time.
Dying: dieback that gets worse each year, decay at the base, or a large share of dead branches. It may be possible to prolong its life, but plan for removal.
Dead: no green under the bark, no leaves in summer, bark peeling off. It needs to come down, and sooner is cheaper.
When to call someone
If the tree is big enough to reach your house, driveway, a play area or the street, have it looked at. A crew can usually tell in a few minutes whether it needs pruning, cabling or removal. Call (423) 275-4820 for a free written estimate, or see dangerous trees to watch for in Chattanooga.
Need a tree crew around Chattanooga?
Call (423) 275-4820 or send a few details. We’ll match you with an independent local crew for a free written estimate, usually the same day.