How To Tell If a Tree Is Dying: 10 Signs Every Michigan Homeowner Should Know
Healthy trees add value, shade, and beauty to your property. But when a tree starts to decline, it can quickly go from asset to hazard. Knowing how to tell if a tree is dying could save you from property damage or even prevent a dangerous situation during Michigan’s next storm.
At Trumpp Tree Service, we’ve seen it all: hidden root rot, hollow trunks, leaning oaks, and branches so brittle they snap at the slightest breeze. The good news? Most warning signs appear early enough that you can act before disaster strikes.
Here’s how to spot the red flags, when to call a professional, and what to do if a dying tree can’t be saved.
Key Takeaways: How To Tell if a Tree is Dying
Know the signs: Bare branches, peeling bark, fungus, or leaning trunks can indicate a dying tree.
Act quickly: Early diagnosis may save your tree or prevent serious damage.
Call professionals: Safe tree removal in Michigan requires licensed, insured experts.
Stay proactive: Routine trimming keeps trees healthy and strong year-round.
Trust local help: Trumpp Tree Service delivers fast, clean, and reliable tree care across Clarkston, Rochester, Waterford, Brighton, Bloomfield, Milford, and Auburn Hills.
Why Tree Health Matters
When trees die, they don’t always fall right away, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Dead or decaying trees become unstable over time, especially during Michigan’s heavy wind, rain, and snow seasons.
Unchecked, a dying tree can cause:
Roof or vehicle damage from falling limbs
Injuries to people or pets
Spread of disease or pests to healthy trees nearby
Costly emergency tree removal
That’s why identifying a problem early and scheduling an inspection with a licensed professional is so important.
What Are The 10 Signs a Tree is Dying?
Do you think your tree is dying? Here’s what to look out for.
1. Bare Branches or Sparse Leaves
One of the clearest signs of decline is when a tree stops producing healthy leaves.
If a single branch is bare while others look full, that section might be dead. But if the entire canopy is thinning or patchy, your tree could be struggling to move water and nutrients.
In Michigan, it’s common for disease or frost damage to mimic dormancy, so if your tree stays bare well into spring, it’s time for a professional evaluation.
2. Cracked or Peeling Bark
A tree’s bark is its skin; it protects against pests, moisture loss, and disease. When it starts cracking, splitting, or peeling away in large sections, that’s a serious red flag.
If you scratch a small patch of bark and see brown or dry wood underneath instead of green, the tissue beneath is dead. This is one of the simplest ways to tell if a tree is dying.
Peeling bark can result from extreme cold, drought stress, or fungal infection. Regardless of the cause, a tree without healthy bark won’t last long without professional care.
3. Fungi, Rot, or Mushrooms at the Base
If you notice mushrooms, soft spots, or fungus growing around the roots or trunk, decay has already begun.
Fungal growth is a sign of internal rot, meaning the tree is breaking down from the inside out. These trees often appear stable but can fail suddenly, especially during storms.
At this point, tree removal is often the safest choice to protect your home, nearby trees, and anyone walking beneath it.
4. Leaning or Uprooted Trees
A tree that suddenly leans or shifts position could have root or soil damage.
If the lean exceeds 15 degrees, it’s likely the tree can’t recover. In Michigan, this often happens after storms that saturate the ground and loosen root systems.
You may also see cracked soil or raised earth near the base, another sign that the roots are failing. Never ignore this. A leaning tree is a major safety hazard that requires urgent attention and likely tree removal.
5. Brittle or Falling Branches
A healthy tree bends with the wind; a dying one snaps.
If you’re seeing frequent fallen limbs or dry, brittle branches that break easily, your tree may be losing its internal moisture and strength.
Dead branches aren’t just unsightly; they’re dangerous. They can fall without warning, especially in winter when snow and ice add weight. A quick inspection and selective trimming can sometimes save the tree, but if large sections are dead, it may be beyond recovery.
6. No Green Beneath the Bark
Here’s an easy test: use your fingernail or a pocketknife to gently scratch the bark of a small branch.
Green and moist? The tree is alive.
Brown, dry, or brittle? That section is dead.
If you test multiple spots and find no green at all, the entire tree is likely dead. At that point, it’s time to schedule a professional tree removal before nature does it for you.
7. Insect Damage and Infestation
Boring insects like beetles and termites are drawn to weakened trees. If you see sawdust at the base, small holes in the bark, or oozing sap, pests may already be inside.
Once insects invade, they can quickly compromise the structure of your tree, leaving it hollow, brittle, and unstable. Insect infestations also spread fast, so removing the affected tree often prevents others from becoming infected.
8. Exposed or Damaged Roots
Roots are the foundation of a tree’s health. When they’re damaged by construction, soil compaction, or nearby excavation, the tree can’t absorb enough water or nutrients to survive.
If you see heaving soil, exposed roots, or new cracks forming in the ground around your tree, root damage may already be extensive. In those cases, trimming alone won’t help; the tree may need to come down for safety reasons.
9. Rotting Wood or Hollow Trunk
Tap on the trunk of your tree. If it sounds hollow or feels soft, decay has likely spread deep inside.
Internal rot often goes unnoticed until the damage is severe. You might see cavities, holes, or even animals nesting inside. While some trees can live with small hollows, large ones weaken structural integrity, making tree removal the safest option.
10. Persistent Pests, Fungus, or Disease
If your tree shows multiple symptoms, bark loss, brittle limbs, discoloration, or fungal growth, it’s probably suffering from more than one issue.
Common Michigan tree diseases like oak wilt, anthracnose, and cankers spread quickly through stressed or untreated trees. Once the infection reaches the trunk, recovery is unlikely.
A professional arborist can determine whether treatment is possible or whether the tree needs to be removed before the problem spreads.
When to Call a Professional
Not every struggling tree is beyond saving. Sometimes, trimming, fertilization, or pest control can restore health. The key is early detection and proper care.
Call a professional if you notice:
Dead branches near structures or power lines
Mushrooms or soft wood near the base
A leaning or cracked trunk
Sudden loss of leaves outside normal seasons
Evidence of pests or boring insects
At Trumpp Tree Service, our team offers honest, expert advice. If your tree can be saved, we’ll outline a care plan. If not, we’ll handle safe tree removal in Michigan and clean up every bit of debris before we leave.
How We Handle Tree Removal Safely
If your tree is beyond saving, removal may be necessary to protect your home and property. Our process is fast, safe, and respectful of your space.
Here’s what to expect when you call Trumpp Tree Service:
Inspection & Quote: We assess the tree’s condition and provide a clear, same-day quote.
Safety Planning: We identify hazards like nearby power lines or structures.
Professional Removal: Our licensed, insured team uses specialized equipment for controlled cutting. Often, we take care of it the same day.
Cleanup & Disposal: We remove all debris, leaving your yard cleaner than we found it.
We also offer stump grinding, so you don’t have to live with leftover roots or unsightly stumps after removal.
Preventing Tree Decline
While weather and age are out of your control, regular maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your trees healthy.
Schedule tree trimming every 3–5 years for mature trees.
Water deeply during dry months to reduce stress.
Watch for early signs of pests or discoloration.
Avoid piling mulch directly against the trunk.
Call for inspection after major storms or nearby construction.
Small steps now can prevent expensive removals later.
Special Note for Michigan Homeowners
Michigan’s climate can be tough on trees, especially oaks, maples, and pines. Seasonal timing is everything when it comes to trimming and disease prevention.
Never trim oak trees between April and mid-November due to the risk of oak wilt, a deadly fungus spread by beetles during warm months. Always work with a licensed professional who knows local disease cycles and safe trimming windows.
Our crews follow Michigan’s strict seasonal guidelines to protect your property and preserve your trees.
Take Care Of Your Dying Trees Today
Learning how to tell if a tree is dying can protect your property and give you peace of mind. Trees don’t die overnight; most show clear warning signs long before becoming dangerous.
If you notice anything unusual, don’t wait until the next storm to act. Our licensed team at Trumpp Tree Service can inspect, trim, or safely remove any tree that’s putting your home at risk.
Contact us today for your free, same-day quote. We’ll handle the hard work, so you can enjoy the beauty and safety of a well-cared-for property.
