How to tell if a tree is unhealthy?

Author: Tierra Mertz  |  Last update: Friday, March 28, 2025

Signs of an Unhealthy Tree
  1. Cavities, cracks, and holes in the trunk or limbs.
  2. Wilting.
  3. Bare patches.
  4. Broken branches.
  5. Leaf-free branches.
  6. Abnormal leaf color, shape, and size.
  7. Holes in leaves.
  8. Visible insects or insect evidence.

How to tell if a tree is not healthy?

Decay or fungi. 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.

What does an unhealthy tree look like?

Spots or blemishes on leaves, fruit, and/or bark. Fuzzy or moldy-looking patches. Holes in leaves. Dead, dying or dropping branches.

How do you check the health of a tree?

Check Roots

Cavities or hollows near the base of the tree or in large roots can also be a sign of trouble. Cracked or raised soil on one side of a tree trunk could indicate the start of leaning and weakness. New construction and soil compaction can also damage roots.

What are the signs of a tree dying?

8 Signs That Your Tree Is Dying
  • There are broken sticks all over the ground around the tree. ...
  • The bark is shedding off of the tree. ...
  • Rot or fungus is visible on the tree. ...
  • The tree is no longer standing up straight. ...
  • Open wounds. ...
  • No leaves or dead leaves. ...
  • Termites and other pests. ...
  • Root damage.

Signs of a Sick Tree

When should I be concerned about a tree?

Probably the most visible (and most obvious) of the tree hazards, a broken or hanging limb is a telltale sign that your tree is, in fact, a danger. However, limb damage isn't always so obvious. A professional tree inspector will look for splits and cracks to determine how severe the damage is.

How do you revive a sick tree?

How to Save a Dying Tree: 8 Tips to Try
  1. Determine If the Tree Is Dying. ...
  2. Fix Moisture Issues. ...
  3. Prune The Tree Properly. ...
  4. Add Mulch to Nourish the Soil. ...
  5. Treat With Fertilizer. ...
  6. Treat for Diseases and Insects. ...
  7. Perform a Scratch Test. ...
  8. Hire a Professional Arborist.

What to do if tree looks sick?

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.

What are the symptoms of tree deficiency?

Your local county Agricul- tural Extension office can assist you with problem identifica- tion. A few common visual symptoms of nutrient deficien- cies are small chlorotic leaves, dead areas of leaf tips and margins or between veins, dieback of stem tips and twigs, bark lesions and excessive gum formation.

How do you diagnose tree disease?

How to tell if a tree is struggling with a disease:
  • Premature leaf defoliation or reduced foliage.
  • Leaves or needles with dark spots, unusual colors, or distorted shapes.
  • Changes in tree bark.
  • Fungi or root rot.

What does a stressed tree look like?

Stressed tree symptoms will manifest in a number of ways. Distorted or missing growth, substances or spots on foliage, and lack of vigor are some of the first clues that your tree is stressed.

When to give up on a tree?

The experts can best determine whether your tree is posing a safety risk and should be removed.
  1. The Tree is Leaning. A leaning tree can be the surest sign that it is at risk of falling. ...
  2. Decaying Roots. Are the roots of your tree showing visible signs of decay? ...
  3. Storm Damage. ...
  4. Fungus. ...
  5. Odd Shape. ...
  6. Close Proximity to Your Home.

What does an issue tree look like?

They look like a (horizontal) tree: they flow from the top of the tree on the left to smaller branches on the right. We'll talk you through the process of putting the right questions at the top of the issues tree, and how to ask questions to get to the root causes on the right side of the page.

How do you know if a tree is safe?

Signs Of Hazard Trees
  1. Dead Tree Limbs. Dead tree limbs are one of the most obvious hazard signs to look for when it comes to how to tell if a tree poses a risk to your home. ...
  2. Hanging Branches. ...
  3. Multiple Trunks.
  4. Leaning Tree. ...
  5. Included Bark. ...
  6. Damaged Roots. ...
  7. Stress Fractures Or Cracks. ...
  8. Roots And Trunk.

Will fertilizer help a dying tree?

Fertilizers can quickly save your trees from dying. However, not applying them properly will damage your trees more.

How do I make sure my tree is healthy?

Trees do best with infrequent, deep waterings. Prune trees only when it is necessary for structure, health, and safety purposes. Remove vines, turf, or competing vegetation surrounding the tree's trunk.

How do you check tree health?

4 Tips for Checking the Health of Your Trees
  1. Look at the Roots. The root system is arguably the most important part of a tree to consider when inspecting for health concerns, as the root system impacts the entire tree. ...
  2. Check for Fungus. ...
  3. Make Sure a Young Tree Isn't Leaning. ...
  4. Examine the Leaves.

How do I know if my tree needs fertilizer?

Trees and shrubs that need fertilization to stimulate more robust and vigorous growth include those exhibiting pale green, undersized leaves and reduced growth rates and those in declining condition (for example, dead branch tips, called dieback) resulting from insect attacks or disease problems.

Can a tree recover from disease?

While recovery from tree disease is possible in some cases, it largely depends on the disease's nature, the tree's health, and the environmental conditions.

How do I make my tree healthy again?

How to Make a Tree Healthy Again: A Brief Guide
  1. Water the Tree. Like most things, trees need water to survive. ...
  2. Make Sure the Tree Is in the Right Environment. Not all trees require the same amount of sun and water. ...
  3. Prune the Tree. Pruning is a great way to keep your trees in immaculate condition. ...
  4. Add Adequate Fertilizer.

What do overwatered trees look like?

Yellowing or Wilting Leaves: One of the primary signs of overwatering is the yellowing of leaves which may also be wilting or drooping. The excessive moisture around the base of the tree prevents the roots from absorbing oxygen, leading to nutrient deficiencies and weak, yellow foliage.

What does a tree fungus look like?

They can appear as mushroom structures in the soil or near or at the base of the tree. Also, shelf-like structures of fungi can grow on trunks and/or branches of trees. They can indicate root rot, butt rot, and root decay.

Can you nurse a tree back to health?

Spread Mulch Around Your Tree

Adding mulch around the base of the tree is a great way to nourish the soil and help prevent fungal disease, regulate soil temperatures, help with drainage, and restore the tree's overall health.

How to heal sick trees?

Provide Proper Care
  1. Watering: Ensure your tree receives adequate water, avoiding both overwatering and underwatering.
  2. Mulching: Apply mulch sparingly to retain moisture without suffocating the roots, which leads to root rot.
  3. Nutrient Supply: Use balanced fertilizers to support healthy growth.

Can a diseased tree be saved?

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.

Previous article
What part of the body itches with diabetes?
Next article
What happens if I put R134a in a R1234yf car?