5 Warning Signs of a Dead or Dangerous Tree

It is always good to have trees in your back garden. Not only do they make your garden look beautiful, but they also provide various benefits such as reducing heat by cooling your home with its shade and lessen air pollution. It also adds value to properties.

However, neglected trees can die and become hazardous; keep reading to learn what the warnings signs are...

Can you still save your tree or is it time to let go? 
It's not always clear if a tree is dying or dead. A sick tree may have similar signs as a dead one, but the difference is you can still save it. Consulting an arborist to confirm your suspicion can give you more chances of saving the tree. In addition, arborists are able to diagnose tree problems and provide treatment accordingly.

There are cases when you can't do anything to save the tree. Many factors contribute to a tree dying, like severe weather conditions or pest infestation. Older trees tend to become more susceptible to diseases and grow brittle. Be proactive. Take time to regularly check your tree's condition and be aware of potential problems it is having.

5 Signs That Your Tree is Dead or Dangerous 
There are a few visual signs to check that can help you identify a dead tree:

1. Visible deep cracks in the tree trunk 
This is probably the most obvious sign you need to lookout for. The tree's trunk is responsible for holding the tree together. A deep crack is an indicator that the tree could fall apart.

2. Leaning tree
One of the reasons why a dead tree can be hazardous is when it starts to grow at an unsafe angle. This situation demonstrates that serious problems could be happening in your tree's root systems. Roots can signify the tree's stability and health, so you may want to review what’s going on down there. If unsure, call for professional help.

3. Crown area of your tree
The tree's crown is where the leaves and branches that stem out from the trunk are located. If you've found signs in the trunk, the crown should confirm if the tree is dead. One sign you can look for is dead branches or deadwood. Branches that either have brown leaves or none at all are dead. These branches pose a danger as they can break easily, which makes it critical to be removed.

4. Noticeable fungal growth
Fungus is generally the first hint that the tree is dead. Check around the base and trunk area to see fungus growth. Cankers, discoloured areas, or mushroom growing are fungal infections. Fungus on the trunk could signify that the inside is rotten and this can causes further decay for the tree.

5. Failing the scratch test
To confirm if a tree is still alive, perform a scratch test on the cambium layer. If it's green, it still has life. If it's dry and brown, the tree is dead. Do it in several areas of the tree to ensure that the entire tree is dead or if only parts of it are affected.

If, after undertaking an analysis of your trees, you believe that it needs to be removed - get in touch! We offer free quotes to residents and commercial land owners across the Chelmsford borough.

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