Trees provide prominent welfare not only to humans, but to properties and animals as well. Trees provide fresh air and shelter during the hot and warm seasons, provide a place to hang-out and mingle, most of all, boost the landscape. Most people have passionate memories of a tree. But once the tree dies, it poses a huge safety risk for yourself and the neighborhood.
Do you have a Dead Tree?
Of course, a tree’s death is a natural part of its life cycle. Nothing is strange about it happening. However, that changes in residential areas, where even a single dead tree can cause major problems to the neighborhood.
The first thing to do is to identify whether the tree has in fact, died. The easiest way to ascertain the status of your tree, is to test it yourself by performing – scratch test. All you have to do is to snap a few twigs from different areas of the tree and scratch off a section of their bark. Exposed layer should be green and moist. If it is brown, brittle and dry, the tree might be in serious trouble and is probably dead. It is important to perform this with more than one twig to avoid incorrect and rushed conclusions. Go ahead and look for more signs, to include are:
- Presence of fungi with mushrooms around its base or the trunk. Fungal Growth is one indication that the tree might have become rotten on the inside.
- Peeling or cracking bark. When vertical cracks start to appear without human interference, it is a sign that something isn’t right as bark shields the inner trunk from damage.
- Tree cavities or large scaffold branches may also be a sign of a dying tree. It is typically the result of decay that followed injury.
What to Do with a Dead or Dying Tree?
Having identified the status of the tree, the best and most sensible step to take is to call a professionally trained arborist. This is their field of expertise and it’s best to confirm with them, whether the tree is in fact dead and advise what needs to be done next.