From offering shade to adding a beautiful focal point in your landscape, trees serve a multitude of useful roles. So, when one is dying after years of vibrancy, it can be both disheartening and a potential hazard if it falls. The following are some signs that you need professional tree care service to tell you how to proceed.

4 Indications of a Dying Tree

1. Decaying Wood 

Look for large fissures inside a tree’s trunk and branches. These cavities may be a sign that decay has set in. Tree care specialists say fungal fruiting bodies shaped like mushrooms — especially on exposed roots and stems — are another sign that a tree is dying. 

2. Few to No Leaves

When once-healthy trees are now producing very few leaves, it could be a sign of decay. The culprits can range from a bacterial infection to a lack of proper nutrients. A tree care specialist can conduct an inspection to identify why the tree has stopped sprouting leaves. 

3. Extended Leaning

When healthy trees grow, they naturally reach vertically towards the sun. When a tree starts to lean, the roots may be weak and diseased. Strong winds can also cause leaning, which can compromise a tree’s foundation, even potentially causing it to fall. An experienced and certified arborist will be able to determine if a bent tree is salvageable. 

4. Canker Infections

Fungus and bacteria can infect tree bark and cause cankers. These lesions are known to weaken trees and cause their trunks to split open. Pay attention to strips of bark that have fallen or have a hollowed appearance. 

For more than 50 years, Hudson Tree Service in Millstadt, IL has provided expert diagnosis and maintenance care for tree owners throughout St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison Counties. The certified arborist uses state-of-the-art products and equipment to come up with the best solution for a dying tree. If you’re worried about a tree’s condition on your yard, call (618) 233-2900 to schedule an inspection. You can also go online for a complete list of tree care services.