Just like every other living thing, trees can die. The life span of trees can vary anywhere between a few decades to thousands of years. As tree care professionals, it devastates us to see someone lose a tree that held sentimental value to them. Although many people don’t witness trees dying because of their longevity, it will unfortunately, happen at some point to every tree on Earth.
If you are trying to find out if your tree has died, a few key points would include: no new tree growth, no fruit, no leaves, flowers, or bark. If your tree has perished, anything on the tree will have turned black or brown and dried up. Whether it was a fungus infestation or signs of decay, your trees might have died sooner rather than later. In some species, fungus infections infect trees through wounds, kill sapwood, and cause white rot in sapwood and heartwood. Even after the tree itself has died, these infections do not die immediately.
If you want to know that your tree has died, what are the right steps to take? Here’s a guide to what to do if you have a dead tree, courtesy of the Kingsport tree care experts at Promier Tree.
Step 1: Know the signs of root rot
If you are the kind of person who loves to regularly water their trees, you might want to think about doing a root-rot check before you pronounce your tree dead. Root rot is one of the most frequent reasons that a tree that appears to be dead but isn’t. Your tree may be capable of being revived. However, if you let it “dry out” for a few weeks and nothing develops, the tree is likely dead.
Step 2: Call a tree care professional
A tree professional will be able to examine your trees and determine whether or not they have perished and, if so, what went wrong. The tree may have passed away due to age or other natural factors. To rescue the other trees and organic structures in your yard, you may need to address the underlying cause of the death. Promier Tree’s staff includes certified arborists who are experts in all the species of tree common to this region of East Tennessee. An arborist could preserve your tree or, if it is dead, can aid in safe removal. Our arborists also can offer recommendations for any other trees you have on your property.
Step 3: Examine the dead tree for infestations
Infestations are one of the leading causes of tree mortality and can be among the most terrifying things a tree owner can come across. This is because of the ease with which an infestation may spread to other trees. You could be dealing with a greater issue if you look at your tree and notice insects or the remains of insects. It is better to contact a tree care specialist.
Step 4. Think about replanting
Once a dead tree has been removed, you’ll want to consider planting a new one in its place. Many individuals don’t want to put another tree there. However, planting a new tree will close that hole in your yard. The team at Promier Tree can help with any planting project. ensure that the soil is prepared for a new plant and can suggest which species of tree are right for your yard.
Full-service tree care in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Call Promier Tree at (423) 765-2626 today if you need a tree care expert in East Tennessee. We can certainly assist you with a wide variety of tree problems that you could encounter.