It can be hard to tell whether a tree in Amarillo is dead, dormant or just stressed, especially after a hot, dry summer, a windstorm or a grass fire. A dead tree is a hazard, but removing a tree that could have recovered is a waste. This guide gives you simple checks and clear signs so you know when to wait and when to call.
Is it dead or dormant?
In winter, most High Plains trees are bare, so a bare tree is not necessarily dead. Check at the right time. In spring, a healthy tree leafs out. If the tree is bare well after its neighbors have leafed, or if only part of the crown has leaves, something is wrong. Check again a few weeks later before you decide, since some species leaf out later and stressed trees can be slow.
The scratch test
Scratch a small twig with a fingernail. Green and moist underneath the bark means alive. Brown, dry and brittle means dead. Check several twigs in different parts of the tree, since a tree can be dead on one side and alive on the other. Snap a few twigs as well. Live twigs bend, and dead ones snap cleanly. After a fire, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says the main things to check are live buds and living cambium, which is the same idea. See fire-damaged trees in Amarillo TX.
Signs a tree is dying
- Large dead branches, especially in the top of the crown.
- Bark falling off in sheets, or large cracks and splits.
- Mushrooms or shelf fungi growing from the trunk or base.
- A hollow or cavity in the trunk, or soft, crumbly wood.
- Few or small leaves, or leaves that die and stay on the tree.
- Roots that are lifted, rotting or cut, or a new lean.
- Sprouts growing from the base as the crown thins.
What kills trees here
Several things work together on the High Plains. Drought and heat weaken trees, wind tears roots and cracks unions, and pests follow stress. Elms are a well-known example, since many elms on the Texas Southern High Plains had to be removed because they were dying, according to Texas A&M Extension. Fire, construction damage to roots and mulch piled against trunks also shorten tree lives. See elm trees in Amarillo TX, drought-stressed trees in Amarillo TX and wind-damaged trees in Amarillo TX.
Is it a hazard?
A dead or dying tree is a risk when something can be hit if it falls. The same tree in a back corner with nothing under it is less urgent than one over a house, driveway or walkway. Dead trees get more brittle with time, and limbs can fall without warning, so the longer you wait, the more dangerous it gets. See hazardous tree assessment in Amarillo TX.
Can a dying tree be saved?
Sometimes. If the problem is drought, deep watering and mulch may help. If the cause is a pest caught early, treatment can work. If the roots are failing, the trunk is hollow or most of the crown is dead, it usually cannot be saved. An arborist can tell you which case you have.
What to do with a dead tree
Do not leave it. Dead trees become more dangerous each season, and removal is easier and cheaper while the tree is still sound. Dead trees and dry brush near a house are also fuel in a grass fire. Have it taken down in a planned way, and have the stump ground if you want the space back. See tree removal in Amarillo TX and stump grinding in Amarillo TX. For what to expect on cost, see the tree removal cost in Amarillo TX guide.
Common questions about dead and dying trees
What if the tree leafs out late?
Some species leaf out later than others, and stressed trees can be slow. Wait until early summer, then use the scratch test on several twigs before you decide. If most are brown and brittle, the tree is dead or nearly so.
Does a mushroom on the trunk mean the tree is dead?
Not always, but it usually means there is decay in the wood. A mushroom at the base or on the trunk is a reason to have the tree assessed, because decay can weaken the structure even when the crown looks green.
Does a dead tree have to come down right away?
It depends on what is under it. A dead tree over a house or driveway should come down soon, and one in a far corner can wait a little. Dead trees get more brittle each season, so waiting too long makes the job riskier and sometimes costlier.
Need help with a tree in Amarillo TX?
If you want a professional to look at a tree, request a free tree service quote in Amarillo TX. Describe the tree, where it stands and what worries you, and send photos if you can. You can also print the tree check checklist for Amarillo TX homeowners to walk your property first, or read the tree service FAQ for Amarillo TX.
