How can I tell if my tree is dead or dying?

Start with the scratch test: nick a small twig with your thumbnail. Green and moist underneath means the branch is alive; brown and dry means that limb is dead. Then check the tree against these warning signs: No leaves in the growing season , or leaves that brown and drop in early summer Brittle twigs that snap cleanly instead of bending Bark falling away in sheets with smooth, bare wood underneath Mushrooms or fungal conks at the base or on the trunk - often a sign of internal decay A thinning crown with major dead limbs in the upper canopy One sign calls for monitoring; two or more, or any of them on a tree standing over a house or driveway, call for a professional look. A dead tree dries and becomes brittle within months, which makes removal more dangerous and more expensive the longer it waits. Our ISA Certified Arborist gives an honest verdict - many trees that look bad are savable, and some that look fine are not. The assessment is free: (650) 355-1277.

Start with the scratch test: nick a small twig with your thumbnail. Green and moist underneath means the branch is alive; brown and dry means that limb is dead. Then check the tree against these warning signs:

No leaves in the growing season, or leaves that brown and drop in early summer
Brittle twigs that snap cleanly instead of bending
Bark falling away in sheets with smooth, bare wood underneath
Mushrooms or fungal conks at the base or on the trunk – often a sign of internal decay
A thinning crown with major dead limbs in the upper canopy

One sign calls for monitoring; two or more, or any of them on a tree standing over a house or driveway, call for a professional look. A dead tree dries and becomes brittle within months, which makes removal more dangerous and more expensive the longer it waits. Our ISA Certified Arborist gives an honest verdict – many trees that look bad are savable, and some that look fine are not. The assessment is free: (650) 355-1277.