Determining if a tree is dead or still alive can be tricky. Trees go dormant in winter and can look dead even when they’re perfectly healthy. However, there are some telltale signs that indicate a tree has died or is in decline. Here are 6 signs to look for when trying to diagnose a dead or dying tree.

1. Look for Lack of Leaves

One of the most obvious indicators of a dead tree is a lack of leaves. Evergreen trees should still have green needles, while deciduous trees should put out buds and new leaves in spring. If a tree hasn’t leafed out by mid-summer, it’s likely dead.

Some caveats:

• Some tree species, like oak, keep their dead leaves through winter. Don’t assume it’s dead until new leaves don’t emerge in spring.
• With evergreens, look for new growth at branch tips. No new light green shoots mean it’s dead.
• Trees stressed by drought may drop leaves early while still alive.

So lack of leaves alone doesn’t confirm a tree is dead, but it’s a strong sign of a serious problem.

2. Look for Brittle, Dry Branches

Living tree branches are flexible and green underneath the bark. Snapping off a small branch should reveal a bright green layer right under the bark.

Dead branches are dry and brittle throughout. The wood easily snaps, with no flexible green layer visible. The bark also peels off easily.

Poke branches all over the tree. If they’re all brittle and snap off easily with no green layer underneath, the tree is likely dead.

3. Check for Cracks or Holes in Trunk

The trunk of a healthy tree should be intact. Damaged areas that expose the interior wood allow disease and insects to infiltrate the tree.

Small damaged spots can be healed over with new bark growth. But large gaps or cracks, especially if they penetrate deep into the trunk, indicate the tree is failing.

Look for:

• Cracks or splits in the bark more than a few inches long
• Holes or hollowed out areas in the trunk
• Peeling away of large chunks of bark

Weeping sap or fungi growing from damaged areas are also signs of advanced decay.

4. Look for Lack of Growth

A living tree continues growing year after year. Check for new growth by comparing the current and previous years.

Signs a tree has stopped growing:

• Twigs remain the same length year after year rather than elongating
• No new buds visible on branch tips each spring
• Canopy isn’t expanding or getting fuller

If there’s no new growth for 2-3 years, the tree is likely dead or dying.

5. Check Under the Bark for Signs of Life

Removing some bark can reveal what’s happening inside the tree. Use a pocketknife to peel back a small section of bark on a branch.

On a living tree, the inner bark should be moist and greenish in color. The outer sapwood layer under it will be light brown to tan.

If the bark is dry and the sapwood is dark or grayish brown, the tree is dead or nearly so. Foul odors, mushy wood, mold, or insect infestation are other signs of mortality.

6. Do a Scratch Test

As a final check, do a “scratch test” by scraping away a patch of outer bark about 6 inches above ground level.

On a living tree, the sapwood beneath will be moist and greenish, not brown. Use a knife tip to scratch the wood – living sapwood is firm and resilient.

On dead trees, the exposed area will be dry, cracked, and brittle. The sapwood easily breaks apart when scratched. No moisture, sap, or resiliency indicates the tree is dead.

Additional Signs a Tree Is Dying

Here are a few other warning signs that can indicate a tree is in poor health or declining:

• Dying limbs and branches high up in the canopy
• Mushrooms or fungi growing on the bark
• Evidence of insect infestations like bore holes or frass
• Oozing sap or lesions on the trunk
• Trunks leaning at an angle, liable to blow over
• Recent damage from storm, fire, or human activity

How to Be Sure a Tree Is Dead

If a tree shows multiple signs of death from the lists above, it’s highly likely to be dead. However, some of these symptoms can also indicate a dying but still living tree.

For 100% confirmation, you need to assess under the bark for living tissue. Use an increment borer to extract a wood core sample. On a dead tree, the sapwood will be dry, discolored, and fall apart.

Another option is to chop into the trunk with an axe or chainsaw. A living tree will show moist, light-colored sapwood beneath the bark. Dead trees have dark brown, dry wood throughout.

Get several feet above ground level for the most accurate test. The tree may have some living roots and crown even after the trunk dies.

What to Do With a Dead Tree

Once you’ve confirmed a tree is truly dead, you’ll have to decide what to do next. Here are your options:

Leave the Dead Tree Standing

If safety isn’t a concern, leaving snags (standing dead trees) provides habitat for wildlife. Woodpeckers feed on larvae under the bark. Dead limbs offer nesting sites. Eventually the tree will break down, adding nutrients to the soil.

However, large snags can be fire hazards and may topple in storms. Avoid near buildings.

Girdle the Trunk

Girdling a dying tree by cutting away a ring of bark can accelerate its death. The roots die last, continuing to hold the tree upright. It becomes a snag more quickly.

But girdled trees are unpredictable in when and how they fall. Use caution with this method.

Cut Down the Tree

For safety near homes, or to harvest the wood, cutting down dead trees is usually the best approach. Hire a professional arborist for large trees, especially those leaning over structures.

You can also leave a trimmed trunk as a wildlife snag if you remove the hazardous top portion. Cutting when dormant in winter is ideal timing.

Replace With a New Tree

Looking on the bright side, a dead tree offers the opportunity for new planting. Research an appropriate native species for the location before selecting a replacement.

Add organic matter when planting to rebuild the soil. Mulch and water regularly the first few seasons.

FAQs About Identifying Dead Trees

How can I tell if my tree died over the winter?

Wait until mid-spring when healthy trees leaf out. No new leaves by early summer likely means the tree has died. Also check for brittle dry branches.

Do all dead trees lose their leaves?

Not always immediately. Some dead oaks and beeches keep brown leaves over winter. Wait for new leaves in spring – if none emerge, it’s dead.

How long can a dead tree stand?

It depends on size and condition. Some snags remain standing for 10-15 years before falling. But decay and storms can bring a dead tree down at any time.

Should I cut down a dying tree?

It depends. If it’s unsafe, remove it. If you want to harvest the wood, earlier is better. For wildlife, consider girdling it or leaving it as long as possible.

Does a dead tree mean my soil is bad?

Not necessarily. Trees die from age, storms, insects and disease. Evaluate the soil and other landscape plants before concluding the soil is bad.

How much does tree removal cost?

Tree removal costs $150-$1,500 on average depending on size. Simple trimming of a dead tree starts around $200. Larger jobs and tree extraction cost $800-$5,000 or more.

Key Takeaways on Identifying Dead Trees

• Look for lack of leaves, brittle dry branches and no new growth to identify dead trees.
• Peeled away bark, holes in the trunk and fungal growth indicate disease and rot.
• The inner bark and sapwood will be dry and discolored on dead trees.
• An increment borer or chopping into the trunk can confirm no living tissue remains.
• Dead trees can be left standing as wildlife trees if they pose no hazard. Or they can be removed and replaced.

Knowing what signs to look for helps you identify dead trees quickly. Take action promptly to either remove dangerous trees or convert them to wildlife snags. With careful diagnosis, dead trees don’t have to be disasters – they can benefit your landscape for years to come.

Conclusion

Diagnosing whether a tree is dead or still alive requires looking at multiple factors. Start by checking for lack of leaves, brittle dry branches, and no new seasonal growth. Peeled bark, fungal growths, cracks and holes in the trunk are other red flags. The most reliable test is checking beneath the bark and wood for moisture and living tissue.

Knowing how to recognize dead trees helps you take appropriate action. Dangerous trees threatening property should be removed. But less risky dead trees can be retained as wildlife habitat and will eventually decompose and recycle nutrients back into the soil. With the right diagnosis, dead trees can continue to play a positive role in your landscape.