How to Tell If a Tree Is Dead or Dying

A dead or dying tree can become a serious hazard. Learn the warning signs certified arborists check for and when it is time to act before it falls.

A dead or dying tree is more than an eyesore. As decay spreads, limbs and eventually the whole tree can fail, and that failure often lands on a roof, car, or power line. Catching the warning signs early lets you act before a storm makes the decision for you. Here is how certified arborists evaluate whether a tree is in trouble.

Start With a Simple Scratch Test

The fastest check is the scratch test. Use a fingernail or a pocketknife to scrape a small spot of bark on a twig or branch.

• Green and moist underneath: that part of the tree is still alive

• Brown, dry, and brittle: that section is dead

Test several branches on different sides. If the whole canopy scratches brown, the tree is likely dead. If only some limbs fail, you may be dealing with partial dieback that still needs attention.

Look at the Canopy and Leaves

The crown tells you a lot about a tree's health across the seasons.

• Bare branches when the tree should be in full leaf

• Leaves that emerge late, undersized, discolored, or wilted

• Large dead limbs high in the canopy, sometimes called widow-makers

• One-sided decline where an entire section has no growth

Inspect the Bark and Trunk

The trunk is the tree's structural core, and problems here are serious.

• Large areas of missing, loose, or peeling bark

• Deep vertical cracks or splits, especially on multiple sides

• Cavities, hollows, or soft, crumbling wood

• Fungal growth such as mushrooms or conks at the base or on the trunk, which often signals internal decay

Check the Roots and Base

Root problems are the hardest to see and the most dangerous, because they undermine the tree's anchorage.

• Mushrooms or fungal shelves growing from the roots or soil nearby

• Heaving or cracked soil on one side of the trunk

• A sudden lean that was not there before

• Exposed, damaged, or severed roots from recent construction or digging