7 Warning Signs Of A Dying Tree You Shouldn’t Ignore

Not sure if that tree in your yard is healthy or becoming a hazard? Trees don’t usually fail overnight. They often show warning signs well before collapse or death. The problem is that many homeowners either don’t notice these signals or assume they aren’t serious.

The danger comes when you overlook the signs of a dying tree. What starts as small cracks or a few bare branches could lead to major safety risks. A falling tree can damage your home or property or even injure people. Waiting too long makes treatment harder, and in many cases, it means the only option left is removal.

The good news is that by paying attention early, you can often tell when a tree is dying or dormant and when expert help is needed.

In this blog, we’ll outline seven major warning signs, show you what they mean, and explain when to call a professional. For a broader look at preventative care, you can also check out ‘The Ultimate Homeowner’s Guide to Tree Care and Plant Health in the St. Croix Valley’.

Are Bare Branches In Growing Season A Red Flag?

A tree’s canopy should be full of life during spring and summer. When you notice bare branches while neighboring trees are leafing out, it’s often one of the first signs of a dying tree.

Leaves are a tree’s energy system. Without them, the tree can’t photosynthesize effectively. Large sections without foliage point to stress, disease, or root problems. A single dead branch may not mean much, but multiple bare limbs in the canopy raise concern.

You can try the scratch test on twigs. Peel back a small patch of bark. If the wood beneath is green and moist, it’s alive. If it’s dry, brown, and brittle, that limb is dead. When large areas fail the scratch test, the tree may be declining.

It’s important to note that seasonal dormancy is natural in fall and winter. But bare branches in the middle of the growing season tell you the tree is struggling.

Does Peeling Or Cracked Bark Mean Trouble?

Bark acts like armor, shielding your tree from pests, disease, and weather extremes. When you see bark peeling away in chunks or vertical cracks forming in the trunk, it’s a red flag.

Some trees, like birches and sycamores, naturally shed bark. But when large patches of protective bark fall off, the underlying wood is exposed, making the tree vulnerable to infections and structural weakness.

Cracks in the trunk are particularly concerning. They can signal internal stress or decay that reduces stability. In winter, frost cracks sometimes form, but these usually close. Deep, widening cracks that don’t heal are dangerous.

Watch for these signs:

• Large sheets of missing bark: Indicates loss of protection against insects and rot.
• Fungus growing beneath peeling bark: Strong evidence of decay inside.
• Splits along the trunk: May weaken the tree and make it prone to breakage.
• Sudden bark loss after stress: Storms, drought, or pests can trigger shedding.

If bark damage is widespread, it’s one of the strongest signs of a dying tree and should be assessed quickly.

Why Does Fungus Or Mushrooms On A Tree Matter?

Fungus isn’t just cosmetically unpleasant, it’s often a symptom of serious internal decay. Mushrooms and fungal growths use dead wood as food, which means they’re feeding on your tree.

Fungal Conks At The Base

Hard, shelf-like structures at the trunk’s base, called conks, signal rot inside the roots or lower trunk. These are major warnings because root rot destabilizes the entire tree. Once conks appear, the structural damage is often advanced.

Mushrooms On The Trunk

Clusters of mushrooms growing directly on bark or wounds suggest the tree’s internal wood is decaying. Although they may appear harmless, their presence means fungi are breaking down the heartwood, weakening stability.

Surface Soil Fungi

Not all fungi are dangerous. Mushrooms in the soil near the tree may simply be decomposing organic matter. Still, if they consistently appear at the base, especially alongside cracks or peeling bark, the risk rises.

Fungal growth is rarely reversible. When you see mushrooms attached to the trunk or large conks, it’s time to call an arborist. They’ll determine if the tree is still safe to keep or if removal is necessary.

Are Cavities Or Hollows Dangerous?

Cavities can form after branches break, insects bore in, or decay eats away at wood. Some trees live long with small hollows, but large cavities compromise structural strength.

Key concerns include:

• Main trunk cavities: Reduce the tree’s ability to stand against wind.
• Large hollow limbs: Make branches prone to snapping.
• Decay spreading from a cavity: Weakens wood around it.

A hollow doesn’t always mean removal, but it does require professional evaluation. The size, location, and depth of the cavity determine whether the tree remains safe. When hollows connect with other warning signs, it’s often part of a bigger decline.

Do Dead Or Hanging Branches Signal Decline?

Dead branches hanging high in the canopy are dangerous. Known as “widowmakers,” they can fall without warning, especially in storms.

A healthy tree occasionally loses a limb, but when you see many dead branches across the canopy, the tree is in trouble. Dead wood spreads disease and attracts pests, further weakening the tree.

You should never ignore hanging limbs. They are both a safety risk and a clear indication of stress. If half or more of the canopy shows dieback, that’s one of the clearest signs of a dying tree.

When Does Leaning Or Uprooting Become A Hazard?

A tree that has always leaned slightly may not be at risk. But if the lean is new or worsening, it signals instability.

One critical clue is mounded soil or exposed roots on one side of the trunk. This shows the tree is uprooting, often after high winds or heavy rain. In this case, the risk of collapse is high.

Leaning trees near structures, driveways, or power lines are urgent hazards. Even if the tree looks alive, its root system may have failed. Once a tree starts to uproot, removal is usually the only safe option.

Can Insects Or Sawdust Mean A Tree Is Dying?

Insects are natural in most landscapes, but when they invade living wood, they spell trouble.

Sawdust At The Base

Piles of fine sawdust often mean carpenter ants or beetles are tunneling inside. These pests don’t attack healthy wood but exploit weakened trees. Their presence often pairs with other decay signs.

Boring Insects

Emerald ash borers and other wood-boring pests leave tiny exit holes across bark. They disrupt nutrient flow, leading to canopy dieback and eventual death.

Once an infestation takes hold, it accelerates decline. While treatment is possible in some cases, severe infestations often lead to removal. Early detection is the only way to preserve the tree.

When Should You Call An Arborist?

You don’t need to diagnose everything yourself. When you notice multiple warning signs, it’s time for expert evaluation.

An arborist can tell if your tree is declining, diseased, or simply dormant. They’ll also guide you on whether treatment is possible or removal is safer.

Here’s when to call:

• Bare branches during growing season that don’t recover.
• Cracks, hollows, or cavities in the trunk.
• Fungal growth directly on bark or roots.
• Sudden leaning or signs of uprooting.
• Insect activity like boring holes or sawdust piles.

Knowing when to remove a tree versus when it can be saved is key. Sometimes pruning, treatment, or cabling helps. Other times, removal is the safest choice. A certified arborist ensures you make the right decision for your safety and property.

Stay Ahead Of The Warning Signs

Recognizing the signs of a dying tree gives you an advantage, but knowing what to do next is just as important. That’s where Willow River Company comes in. You get one trusted partner who can handle everything: diagnosis, pruning, treatment, or removal. No juggling multiple contractors, no guesswork, just dependable solutions under one roof.

Your experience matters. With Willow River Company, you’re always informed. Our team communicates clearly, stays on schedule, and shows up ready to work. Behind every visit is a group of certified arborists, horticulturalists, and landscape experts trained in the latest practices. You’ll also notice the professional touch, like uniformed crews, marked trucks, and a respect for your property.

Serving Stillwater, Hudson, and the St. Croix Valley, we help homeowners keep their trees healthy and safe year after year.

If you suspect a problem or simply want peace of mind, don’t wait. Request a quote today and get expert eyes on your trees.

Summary

Spotting the signs of a dying tree from bare branches and fungus to cracks, hollows, and pests, helps you protect your yard and home. If you’re unsure whether a tree is dying or dormant, calling an arborist is the safest step. Willow River Company provides expert evaluation, communication, and complete tree care for homeowners across the St. Croix Valley.