Having dead trees on or near your property can cause deeper problems than just being an eyesore. For instance, dead tree branches may break off and fall, causing injuries and damages to property and if the cause of the death is disease, pests could spread to your property. As a property owner, you should identify sick and dying trees as early as possible and have them removed to avoid these eventualities. Here, are four dead giveaway signs of a dying or dead tree.
Check whether there are vertical cracks in the trunk. Severe damage to a tree trunk reduces its likeliness to survive. Also, take a close look at the trunk. When a tree grows old, the older bark sheds off and is replaced by a new layer. If the old bark has been shed and no new bark is appearing leaving smooth areas exposed, the health of the tree is on the decline.
Most deciduous trees only shed their leaves in fall and remain leafless in winter to avoid the excess weight of accumulated snow. However, if a tree has bare branches after spring, there is a possibility that the tree is dying. Note that if leaves are drying up and remaining stuck on the branches, the tree is dying. If the leaves dry up on one side of the tree, it could also be an indication that the tree is suffering from an attack of a disease or pest.
Roots run very deep into the ground, and most of the times, it is hard to tell if a tree has damaged roots. However, if you notice a sudden noticeable lean on the tree, the roots could be harmed. Another indicator of damaged roots is small branches sprouting from the base of the trunk in what is known as epicormic shoots. The shoots are usually a tell-tale sign of a tree with damaged roots.
The presence of any large fungus such as shelf or bracket fungus (wood conchs), is an indication that a tree has started rotting inside. Dampness and softness of the trunk in addition to fungus presence also indicate that a tree is rotting.
Other indicators of a dying tree include location. If the tree is near the construction site, the chances are that the tree will have more exposure to the sun and wind and the roots might also get damaged, destroying the tree. Tree removal experts help in identifying trees that could be an environmental risk and removing them with as little disruption to the surroundings as possible.