Have you ever looked out your window and wondered, is my tree dead or dormant? As deciduous trees shed their leaves in the winter, they appear quite lifeless; however, many trees enter long dormancy periods throughout the winter months. Dormant seasons have evolved to protect trees’ growing cycles during freezing, snowy, and windy winter days.
Don’t panic if you can’t tell the difference between dormant trees and dead trees. This blog explains distinguishing between healthy trees in dormancy periods and dying trees, but you can always consult Lafayette’s certified arborists for help answering the question, “Is my tree dead or dormant?”
Signs of Dying Trees
Trees remain exposed to subzero temperatures, blustering winds, hail damage, and heavy snowfall. Invasive insects seeking shelter and food use dying trees to construct nests and reproduce. The signs of dying trees prove straightforward and include the following:
- Weak V-shaped branch connections
- Cracked bark
- Poor leaf growth
- Defoliation
- Epicormic growth
- Insect infestations
If you notice fallen branches or reduced canopy growth, you may want to seek professional help. Broken branches easily entangle in power lines, fall on pedestrians, and cause property damage. Wood-boring insects attracted to dying trees migrate onto wooden surfaces in homes and cause massive distress.
Dead or Dormant: Checking Your Trees
You can test your trees’ health by considering the following tips. Tree removals are costly and disruptive to your landscape, so always look for signs of life before removing trees. You may find that your tree requires only a bit more TLC and time to thrive.
Twig Test
Brittle twigs indicate dying trees. Strained tree vascular systems cannot supply branches with adequate nutrients, resulting in discolored, weak, and permeable branches. Remove a twig from your tree and bend it to a 90° angle; if it snaps, your tree may be suffering from disease or infections.
Beneath The Surface
Another reliable test for answering the question is my tree dead or dormant and involves peering under the bark. Healthy trees’ sapwood and cambium layers appear green, while dying trees’ sublayers may contain rotted wood, zig-zag markings, and discoloration. Use a small knife to scrape away a small section of bark to determine the health of your trees.
Growing Healthy Trees in Oregon
Property owners have many options for growing healthy trees. Some of the most effective strategies for weatherproofing, protecting, and maintaining healthy trees include:
Regular Maintenance
Create a tree health plan that includes watering, mulching, and slow-releasing fertilizers to help trees emerge from dormancy periods. Adequate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, moisture, and potassium help trees fend off disease and grow for many years.
Soil Quality Testing
Deciduous and conifer trees require different soil types to thrive. Professional arborists offer low-cost soil quality testing to ensure proper tree growth conditions.
Tree Service Experts You Can Trust
Oregon Arborist proudly serves Yamhill County and the surrounding areas. If you find yourself asking, “Is my tree dead or dormant?” our highly-trained professionals can help. Call Oregon Arborist at (503) 899-4166 to receive your free quote for premium tree care services in Oregon!