Georgetown gets plenty of heat, but it’s also had its fair share of surprise freezes and heavy flooding. Even healthy trees can lose their usual growth patterns in such weather.
If you’ve been struggling to understand how to tell if a tree is dead or dormant, this blog post describes what to check and when to call Blade Runner Tree Service for reliable tree services in Georgetown, TX.
Scan the Crown and Look for Missing Limbs
Start by stepping back and taking a look at the entire crown. If your tree has big gaps, broken limbs, or tips that never formed buds, something’s off. When the top starts thinning out while the rest looks normal, that’s usually the first sign of a deeper problem. Trees that lose growth at the top often have damage spreading from the inside, long before the lower limbs show it.
Press Your Thumb Against the Buds
A quick leaf bud inspection helps you figure out if your tree is getting ready to grow or if those limbs gave out months ago. Run your thumb along a few branch tips and press gently. If the buds feel firm and smooth, they’re alive and healthy. If they crumble or feel hollow, that part of your tree is already dead.
Get Close and Check the Bark
If you want an easy way to understand how to tell if a tree is dead or dormant, get up close and check the tree’s bark condition. Healthy bark forms tight layers and replaces itself, even during dormancy. If it’s peeling in large sheets, feels soft, or shows signs of rot, your tree may be in decline.
Break a Small Branch and Scratch the Surface
If the crown looks dead and the bark shows damage, move forward with a flexibility test.
Bend a twig with two fingers. If it holds its shape, it’s alive. If it snaps clean, it’s a brittle branch and that part of your tree is already starting to die. Then, perform a scratch test using your fingernail or a knife to scrape a thin layer of bark. If the layer underneath looks green and feels damp, that part of your tree is still healthy.
If you’re wondering how to tell if a tree is dead or dormant without waiting for spring, the scratch and bend test is an easy, low-cost option.
Pull Back the Mulch and Check the Soil
Even during seasonal dormancy, your tree’s roots should still feel firm and dry. After a good rain, pull back the mulch and press your fingers into the soil near the base. If the roots feel soft or give off a sour smell, rot has already started.
These signs make it easier to understand how to tell if a tree is dead or dormant before anything changes above ground.
Stop Guessing and Call Blade Runner Tree Service
Still asking how to tell if a tree is dead or dormant? Call Blade Runner Tree Service at (512) 222-2200 for quick answers. For more ways to diagnose your tree, read our blog on dying vs. dead tree identification.