Saving a dying tree is possible, but it takes experience, care, and foresight. There are many environmental factors that can cause a tree's health to decline, the most common offenders being insect damage and disease.
While it is possible, yet sometimes difficult, to revive some sick or dying trees it is impossible to bring a dead tree back to life.
In summary, while it's possible to save a dying tree, the likelihood depends on the root cause and how quickly you act. Early detection and intervention are key to giving your tree the best chance at recovery.
Once a disease is identified, arborists can prescribe the appropriate treatment. This may involve pruning away infected branches, applying fungicides or antibiotics, or implementing cultural practices like adjusting watering or mulching to mitigate disease progression.
Diseased Trees
An infected tree can spread disease to other trees and plants in the area, causing significant damage. If you notice signs of disease, such as dead branches, discolored leaves, or fungus growing on the trunk, it's time to remove the tree before it causes any more damage.
If you're concerned about your tree's health, contact an arborist. Certified arborists handle planting, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, and tree removal. Consulting arborists focus on diagnosing issues, recommending treatments, appraising trees, and advising on tree services.
So can a half-dead tree be saved? It depends. In many cases, the answer is a resounding YES! And in other cases, the answer is NO — with the possibility of renewed life from root systems that still have the capacity to sustain tree life.
If a tree is dying, you may need to plant it in a different location. Most California trees need plenty of room and sunlight to reach their full potential. Keep them out of shady areas and away from power lines to keep them in optimal condition. You also want to make sure the tree isn't planted too deep into the soil.
ACT NOW, DEEP ROOT FERTILIZATION CAN SAVE A TREE!
Don't wait until you see signs of stress to schedule your trees for this necessary application. Even trees that appear happy and healthy may be struggling to find the nutrients they need.
If the tree is healthy and rot hasn't spread far, the tree may be able to heal itself. Fertilization and proper watering (as part of a complete Plant Health Care program) may help improve the tree's health and extend its life, even if it has signs of decay (as long as it's not at risk of falling!).
Decay is simply the process of rotting or decomposition. The terms tree decay and tree decomposition can be used interchangeably to describe a biological process where wood's cellulose and lignin convert to carbon dioxide and water, and the remaining nutrients are simply released into the soil.
In addition to starting any curative disease or pest treatments that might be needed, tree pruning will be an important part of saving a potentially dying tree. Tree pruning is the process of removing diseased, dying, or dead branches to benefit the tree as a whole.
Leaves are shed in an effort to save energy in the fall– this is what is known as a dormant stage. While in a dormant state, your trees are not dead — although growth is halted for the season. Generally, when a tree dies, the leaves will turn brown, but they do not fall to the surface below.
This is known as “reactive” tree removal, and it is sometimes covered by most insurance policies. However, homeowners insurance may not cover the cost of removing a tree that has not yet fallen, but is diseased and likely to fall soon. This “preventative” tree removal is not typically covered by insurance policies.
Maintain the basic health of your trees with regular watering and proper pruning. Loosely pack mulching around your tree base for breathability and nutrient absorption. Use caution when landscaping near trees to avoid injury and disruption to its root system. Don't write off your sick tree as dead.
But a tree care professional or arborist is going to know more about why a tree or shrub might be sick or dying, and they will be educated about the proper way to handle the problem.
If you have dead or dying trees on your property, the entire tree needs to be removed to reduce wildfire risk.
We discussed earlier that most of the time it's not possible to revive a completely dead tree. However, there are cases where a tree may appear dead but still retains some life within.
While it is possible to revive sick or dying trees, bringing dead trees back to life is typically not feasible. There are several reasons to remove a dead tree — but how exactly can one tell if a tree is dead, sick, or healthy?
Treating a Sick Tree
Once you've determined that your tree is sick, you'll need to take steps to help it recover. Depending on the cause of the illness, this may involve pruning, fertilizing, applying fungicides or insecticides, removing dead or damaged limbs, or providing additional resources like water and light.
Peeling or loose bark or cracks in the tree around the tree's root collar. Swelling, soft or decaying wood, or small holes in the tree trunk. Dead, dying, or drooping branches in the canopy. Wilting, discolored, or damaged leaves.