Winter Dead Tree Identification: How to Know When It’s Time to Remove a Tree

Winter is one of the best times to assess the health of the trees on your property. Without leaves hiding signs of stress or decay, dead or hazardous trees become much easier to spot. Knowing what to look for can help you prevent storm damage, protect your home, and avoid costly emergencies.

If you’re concerned about a tree on your property, here are three reliable ways to identify whether it may be dead or dying—straight from the arborists at Timberscapes Tree & Plant Services.

1. The Scratch Test: A Simple Way to Check if Your Tree Is Alive

One of the easiest ways to check a tree’s health is the scratch test. Gently scratch away a small section of bark on a twig or branch using your fingernail or a pocketknife.

• Green, moist tissue just under the bark means the tree is still alive and circulating nutrients.

• Brown, dry, or brittle tissue suggests the branch—or potentially the entire tree—is dead.

  
  

If multiple branches fail the scratch test, there’s a strong possibility the tree is in decline and may require professional assessment or removal.

2. Fungus Growth: A Serious Warning Sign

While mushrooms in your lawn can be harmless, fungus growing directly on the trunk or root flare of a tree is a major warning sign. Fungal growth typically indicates:

• Trunk rot

• Internal decay

• Compromised structural integrity

Large clusters of mushrooms or conks (shelf-like fungi) often signal that the tree’s interior wood is breaking down. When fungi appear around the base, it may also mean the root system is failing, putting the tree at risk of falling—especially during winter storms or high winds.

3. Trunk Damage: When Bark Loss Becomes Dangerous

A healthy tree relies on its bark to transport nutrients. If a tree has significant bark loss or deep cracks—particularly damage that wraps around the trunk—its survival rate drops dramatically.

Some key red flags include:

• Bark stripped all the way around (girdling)

• Large sections of loose or missing bark

• Deep vertical cracks or splits

• Wood that crumbles when touched

If half or more of the trunk is damaged, the tree may already be beyond saving and poses a safety risk.

Why Winter Tree Removal Matters

Dead or dying trees become brittle in cold weather, making them far more likely to break during snow, ice, or wind events. Removing hazardous trees proactively can:

• Prevent property damage

• Reduce the risk of injury

• Improve yard safety

• Protect healthy surrounding trees

This is why homeowners in Georgina, Keswick, Sutton, Beaverton, Cannington, Woodville, Kawartha Lakes, Ramara, and all other surrounding communities heavily rely on us for expert dead tree removal and winter tree inspections.

Need a Professional Tree Assessment?

If you notice fungus growth, trunk damage, or failed scratch tests, don’t wait for winter storms to make the problem worse. Our certified arborists can safely evaluate your trees and recommend the best course of action.

905-251-7422

info@timberscapestsps.com

timberscapestsps.com

Timberscapes Tree & Plant Services — Keeping your property safe, healthy, and storm-ready all year long.