What are the signs a tree is dying?

Look at the canopy first. Bare branches, dead twigs poking out past the leaves, and a crown that looks thinner than last year are common signs of decline.

What makes a tree dangerous even if it still has leaves?

A tree can look green and still be rotting inside. Mushrooms or shelf-like fungus growing at the base or on the trunk often mean advanced decay.

Which trees cause the most trouble in Memphis yards?

Bradford pears are near the top of the list. UT Extension describes them as short-lived and prone to breakage.

Why check your trees in the fall in Memphis?

Memphis winter storms are hard on weak trees. In the February 2022 ice storm, falling trees and limbs helped cut power to more than 233,000 MLGW customers. Dead and weakened limbs are usually the first to break.

Can a dying tree be saved, or does it need to come down?

It depends on how far the decline has gone. Removing dead and weak limbs can help a tree that is only partly affected. A tree with advanced rot or major dieback, especially one close to your home, is often safer to remove.

How to Tell If a Tree Is Dead, Dying, or Dangerous

Q: What should I do if a tree near my house looks dangerous?

Keep people, pets and cars away from it, and don't try to cut large limbs yourself. If a tree or limb is touching a power line, treat it as an emergency: call 911, and report it to MLGW if you're in Memphis or Shelby County, or to your power company in DeSoto County.

Q: Do I need to remove the stump too?

No, but many homeowners do so they can replant, regrade or lay new grass.

Oct 15

3 min read

Looking up through a fall tree canopy with orange and gold leaves and bare branches against a blue sky

Early leaf drop compared with nearby trees of the same species, a thinning crown, dead or hanging branches, cracks in the trunk, fungal growth at the trunk or root flare, a new lean, or recent root damage can signal a problem. These signs warrant a closer look, but they don’t automatically mean a tree is dead or needs to come down. If a concerning tree is near your home, driveway, or play area, keep people clear and arrange an on-site evaluation.

What are signs a tree may be dying?

Look at the canopy while the tree is actively growing, and compare it with nearby trees of the same species. Warning signs can include:

Dead twigs or bare branches while the rest of the tree is leafed out
A crown that looks thinner than it did during the previous growing season
Leaves that are smaller than usual
Leaves changing color or dropping well before nearby trees of the same species

These signs can point to stress or decline. Weather, pests, disease, and root damage can all affect a tree’s leaves and branches. In fall and winter, many deciduous trees naturally lose their leaves, so bare branches alone don’t show that a tree is dead.

What can make a tree dangerous even if it still has leaves?

A full canopy doesn’t guarantee that a tree is structurally sound. From a safe distance, look for:

Large dead, broken, or hanging branches
Cracks or splits in the trunk or where large limbs join
Cavities, soft or decayed wood, or sunken areas of dead bark
Mushrooms or shelf-like fungal growth attached to the trunk or root flare
A new lean, cracked soil, or soil lifting around the base
Damage to the trunk or roots from lawn equipment, vehicles, digging, or construction

Fungal growth attached to the trunk or root flare can indicate advanced decay and deserves attention. Damage from digging or construction can also affect a tree gradually, so signs may appear well after the work is done.

These signs call for an evaluation. How much risk a tree poses depends on the problem, the size of the tree or limb, and what could be hit if it fails.

Why check your trees in the fall?

Fall is a useful time to inspect your trees. Early color or leaf drop compared with nearby trees of the same species can signal stress, and a leafless canopy can make dead or broken branches easier to spot. Normal leaf loss is expected for many trees in fall and doesn’t mean a tree is dead.

Pruning needs depend on the tree and the work required, so don’t schedule a routine trim just because winter is coming. Broken or visibly hazardous limbs should be addressed promptly. Learn more about tree trimming and pruning.

Can a declining tree be saved, or does it need to come down?

It depends on the cause and extent of the problem, the tree’s structure, and what’s nearby. Some trees with limited decline may benefit from care or the removal of damaged limbs. Serious decay, major dieback, or structural damage may make removal the safer option, especially when people or property could be in the way if the tree or a limb fell.

An on-site evaluation can help determine what work is appropriate. See our tree removal service.

What should I do if a tree near my house looks dangerous?

Keep people, pets, and vehicles away from the tree and any large limbs that could fall. Don’t climb the tree or try to cut large limbs yourself.

If a tree or limb is touching a power line, stay well away and call your electric utility. If a line is down, sparking, or creating immediate danger, call 911. For other concerns, contact us for a free on-site estimate. If a tree has already come down, see our storm and emergency cleanup service.

Do I need to remove the stump too?

Not always, but stump grinding can be worth considering when a stump is close to your home. Decaying wood can provide food for termites, though finding termites in a stump doesn’t by itself mean your home is infested. If the stump is near the foundation or you see termite activity, contact a pest-management professional to inspect the home. Stump grinding doesn’t replace termite inspection or treatment.

Homeowners also choose to grind stumps to make room for replanting, regrading, or new grass. Murillo includes stump grinding as part of the removal if you would like to have it done. Learn more about stump grinding.

Not sure about a tree on your property?

Murillo Landscape & Tree is licensed and insured, and we haul away the debris when the job is done. Contact us for a free on-site estimate.

We serve Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, Lakeland, Arlington, Millington, Southaven, Hernando, and Olive Branch.