Pittsburgh, PA arborists are here to tell the difference between dead trees and dormant trees.
3 Things To Know About Dead and Dormant Trees
Even if homeowners have had trees on their property for years, it can still be difficult to detect between a dormant tree and a dead tree. It is vital that homeowners are aware of the signs to differentiate between the two but at the end of the day, homeowners can call a trusted arborist to get to the bottom of any tree problem or question. There are a few things right off the bat that every homeowner should know.
First, the signs of dormancy will look different depending on the type of tree in the yard. However, if a tree is dead, there are pretty standard signs to classify tree death regardless of the type of tree.
The Signs of Tree Dormancy
Dormancy is the best way a tree knows how to protect itself from the cold winter months. Different tree types fall into dormancy at different times and remain dormant for different periods of time. It is important that homeowners are aware of the type of trees they have in their yard before they do anything with the tree.
There are specific tests homeowners can also do to see if the tree is actually dead or if it is dormant. Essentially, the homeowners will be looking for branches that are green on the inside. Branches that don’t snap easily.
It is called the snap and scratch test and this is how to perform it:
- Break off a branch
- If the branch is dry and brown and snaps off easily, it is dead
- If the branch doesn’t snap easily and bends first and is also green on the inside, the tree is dormant.
- It is possible for a dormant tree to have a few dead branches. Prune these away
- If the homeowner keeps finding dead branches without any live ones, the tree might be dead.
If the branches don’t snap off the tree easily, this is also a good sign. Simply, scratch the bark off the branch with a knife or fingernail to expose the green underneath.
How To Care For a Dormant Tree
Dormant trees protect themselves naturally but they still need proper maintenance care that the homeowner can provide without the assistance of a professional. There are a few different things homeowners can try.
Different ways to care for dormant trees include:
- Removing all debris from the base of the tree to prevent diseases
- Wrapping younger trees to protect them from frost
- Using copper-based sprays once a month
When February hits, homeowners can fertilize the trees to prepare them to wake up for the spring months.
Signs a Tree Is Dead
During the winter, it can be difficult to tell when a tree is dead or dormant. However, there is one evident sign that points to a dead tree. If there are mushrooms growing at the base of the tree, the tree is most likely dead or dying.
Sometimes it takes a bit for the mushrooms to appear, though. So, if the tree doesn’t have mushrooms growing yet, a couple of other signs include dried, peeling bark and dried, brown branches that aren’t green on the inside.
The first thing homeowners should do in the event they suspect a dead tree on their property is to call a trusted tree servicing company. Professionals will have the proper advice for next steps the homeowner should take.
Call Greater Pitt Tree Service Today!
The professionals at Greater Pitt Tree Service are the expert arborists that Pittsburgh homeowners trust to get the job done right the first time. Anything and everything about trees, this company has the answers and can solve the problem. There’s no time to waste when it comes to tree removal and tree care.