By now, you’re already used to seeing your tree sport bare branches during winter. However, if spring rolls around and your tree still takes a bit of time to burst back to life, you might ask yourself, “Is my tree dead or dormant?”
Before rushing to schedule professional tree services in Navarre, FL, you can check a few things to tell if your tree is dead or just dormant. We’ll take a look at these steps below.
Comparing a Dead Tree vs. Dormant Tree
Just because your tree doesn’t have the thick, luscious canopy you’ve come to expect doesn’t automatically mean that the tree is dead. While your concerns are understandable, learning how to tell if a tree is dormant will help you settle them.
Check for Buds
Start by inspecting the tip of your tree’s branches for signs of new buds. These buds mean that your tree is getting ready to bloom.
Perform a Scratch Test
Remove a small strip of your tree’s exterior bark to reveal the layer underneath. If this layer looks green and moist, then your tree is just dormant. However, if it’s brown, gray, or brittle, the tree could be in serious trouble.
Test the Branches’ Flexibility
Are you wondering, “Is my tree dead or dormant?” Bending one of its branches to test its flexibility can help you answer this question. If you have a healthy tree, the branches will often be flexible and won’t crack or break easily.
Before doing this test, however, you need to keep a few things in mind. For starters, some trees have more fragile branches. Also, harsh weather could make a tree’s branches rigid.
Check the Trunk
While there are several signs of a dead tree, large chunks of missing bark land high on that list. This explains why inspecting its trunk is important when learning how to tell if a tree is dead or dormant. In addition to checking the trunk for cracks, deep cavities, peeling bark, and splits, you should also look out for signs of pest infestations.
Inspect the Tree’s Base
It’s hard to know what’s going on beneath the surface. However, some signs can tell you all you need to know.
Walk around the base of your tree and check for fungi growing near the tree or at the base of the trunk. Since fungi feed on decaying wood, their presence is a strong indicator of internal decay or root rot, which often spells the end of your tree.
Get the Professional Help You Need
Have you done all these steps but still have the question, “Is my tree dead or dormant?” lingering on your mind? Perhaps your inspection has uncovered a dead tree, and you’re now wondering what to do next. Whatever the case, we’re here to help.
Whether you need a more detailed assessment or want help removing a dead tree, you can never go wrong turning to Tri-State Tree Service. Call us today at 850-876-8003 to request your free estimate.
