If you notice a bare tree, it’s time to remove it. It’s dead and rotting and will cause harm to your yard and property. If it’s half-dead and clinging to its leaves, it’s time to have it removed. If the remaining half is still alive and growing, it’s probably still good to leave it in place, but it can be dangerous to people who are not familiar with the process of removing trees.
A few things to look for are horizontal cracks, dead branch stubs, and large wounds. A tree that’s completely dead is usually best removed, but a decayed tree can be saved if it has an adequate amount of time to re-grow. It may need more time to recover from dormancy, but it’s worth waiting. Some trees take up to 4 weeks to begin showing signs of life again. If you’re not sure if your tree needs to be removed, consult an arborist.
Dead branches, peeling bark, and hollow trunk: These are all signs that the tree is dying and needs to be removed. If a tree has a dead branch, it’s likely that the whole tree is infected. It may also be prone to splitting in half or even collapse. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dead.