Did you know that a tree can have a few leaves and stand upright and yet be dead at the same time? This happens because some trees die slowly, and most die from the inside out. Therefore, to know if a tree is dead we should not look at obvious aspects, but rather internal.
Today in Ecologiaverde we are going to explain what are the signals that the tree sends when it is dying and thus learn how to know if a tree is dead.
Search the trunk or branches
One of the first things you should do to know if your tree is dead is to look for orange fungi on the trunk part. On the other hand, you can scrape a branch with a knife and see if it is green. If so, it will mean that the specimen is still alive, but if it is brown, it will mean that it has died. It is also recommended that you move the branches and check their flexibility. If they break quickly, crack, or sound dry, it means they’re dead. On the other hand, if the tree has no buds by the end of spring, this will mean that it is no longer alive.
Sawdust, ants and mushrooms
Another way to check if the tree is dead is to look for sawdust and ants on the ground where the tree is planted. If so, the specimen could be undergoing a process of decomposition. In addition, the soil around the trunk of a dead tree often grows mushrooms or fungi.
Factors that can weaken the tree
In the same way, you will have to look at the condition in which each of its branches is located, since if any is dead it can weaken the tree, so you have to prune them. If you do it in time, the tree will be able to recover and become stronger.
If you want to read similar articles to How to know if a tree is dead, we recommend that you visit our Garden Care category.
