Spotting a dying or dead tree can be challenging at first glance, but there are several common signs to look out for. As trees decline in health, you may notice the leaves start to wilt, turn yellow or brown, and drop early before autumn even arrives. The branches will appear bare and lifeless. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see that the bark is splitting or peeling off the trunk and the wood underneath looks dried out. Dying trees often have sections where the bark is missing altogether, exposing raw wood underneath.
If it’s a conifer like a pine or fir tree, look for needles that are turning brown or falling off while the tree is still green elsewhere. Conifers normally only lose their oldest needles, so premature needle loss indicates an unhealthy tree. You may also notice cones or seeds falling from branches before they are ripe. When a tree has been dead for a while, the remaining needles will turn red or grey. The most obvious sign is a lack of any green growth. Diagnosing issues with trees should be left to the expert, so I suggest calling our professional arborists to take a look and give you a free quote for removal if required.
In both deciduous and conifer trees, the branches become brittle and often break off easily in wind or storms. You’ll see a lot of broken twigs and branches scattered around the base of the tree. Sometimes mushrooms or fungus will grow from the bark where it is damaged or decaying.
One of the most common indicators of a dying tree is an infestation of ants or other insects burrowing into the bark and trunk. Ants may construct networks of galleries in the rotting wood or build large nests in hollowed-out cavities. Wood-boring insects like beetles drill into the tree to lay eggs, leaving behind winding tunnels and holes. As the insects and larvae feed on the tree, they further damage the tissues and accelerate the tree's demise. The swarms of insects crawling over the bark and on the ground around the base of the tree are highly visible signs that the infestation is underway.
Overall, the tree will appear lifeless, frail, and empty compared to the lush, vibrant trees around it. Taking note of these common signs can help you identify and address dying or dead trees in your landscape.
Get a free tree health check and quote from Fortitude Tree Services by calling 02 6110 2044.
If you're undertaking a backyard or gardening project or selling your home and require professional tree services in Canberra please contact Fortitude Tree Services for a no obligation quote.
