How to Tell If a Tree Is Dead (7 Warning Signs)

Not sure if that tree in your yard is dead, dying, or just dormant? You're not alone -- it's one of the most common questions we get from homeowners across Hampton Roads. After 14+ years of evaluating and removing trees in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the surrounding area, here are the 7 warning signs that your tree is dead and what you should do about it.

The 7 Warning Signs of a Dead Tree

1. No Leaves in Spring or Summer (or Brown, Wilted Leaves)

This is the most obvious sign. If every other tree on your street has leafed out by mid-April and yours is still bare, something is wrong. In Hampton Roads, most deciduous trees -- oaks, maples, sweetgums, tulip poplars -- should have a full canopy by early May. A tree that fails to leaf out during the growing season is either dead or in severe decline.

Watch for partial leaf-out, too. If only one side of the tree or a few scattered branches produce leaves while the rest stays bare, the tree is likely dying from disease or root damage and may not recover.

2. Brittle, Snapping Branches

Healthy branches are flexible. They bend before they break. Dead branches snap like dry kindling with very little force. Try this test: grab a small branch and bend it. If it snaps cleanly with a dry crack and the inside is brown and dry (no green or moisture), that branch is dead.

If most of the branches you test across the tree fail this check, the tree itself is likely dead. A few dead branches in an otherwise healthy canopy is normal -- all trees shed some deadwood. But when the majority of the crown is brittle, it's time to act.

3. Peeling or Missing Bark

Bark is a tree's skin. It protects the living tissue underneath. When large sections of bark fall off a tree and don't grow back, it usually means the tissue beneath has died. You'll see smooth, bare wood underneath -- often dry, pale, and cracked.

Some bark shedding is normal for certain species. Sycamores, crape myrtles, and river birches naturally peel to reveal fresh bark underneath. The difference is that healthy bark shedding exposes smooth, green or cream-colored new bark, while dead tree bark falls off to reveal dry, brown, dead wood.

4. Fungal Growth on the Trunk or Roots

Mushrooms, shelf fungi (also called bracket fungi or conks), and other fungal growth on the trunk or at the base of a tree are a serious warning sign. These fungi feed on decaying wood, which means the internal structure of your tree is rotting from the inside out.

In Hampton Roads' humid subtropical climate, we see fungal issues frequently. The warm, wet conditions from spring through fall are ideal for fungal growth. Common culprits include:

• Artist's conk (Ganoderma): Large, flat, shelf-like fungi at the base. Indicates severe root and butt rot.
• Chicken of the woods: Bright orange/yellow shelf fungus. Means internal heartwood decay.
• Honey mushrooms: Clusters of tan mushrooms at the base. One of the most destructive root-rot fungi in Virginia.

If you see fungal growth on your tree, don't ignore it. The structural integrity of the tree is compromised, and it could fail without warning. Learn more about other dangerous tree warning signs.

5. The Scratch Test Fails

This is the single most reliable test you can do yourself. It's simple:

1. Choose a young branch or twig (finger-thickness or smaller)
2. Use your fingernail or a small knife to scratch away a tiny section of outer bark
3. Look at the layer underneath (called the cambium)

Alive: The cambium is bright green and moist. The branch is living.

Dead: The cambium is brown, dry, and brittle. That branch is dead.

Test several branches in different areas of the tree. If every branch you test comes back dry and brown, and the trunk itself fails the scratch test, the tree is dead. If some branches are green and some are brown, the tree is partially dead and may be in decline.

6. Leaning or Heaving Roots

A tree that has suddenly started leaning when it used to be straight is a major concern. This usually means the root system is failing -- roots are breaking, rotting, or losing their hold in the soil. You may notice:

• The ground heaving or cracking on one side of the tree
• Exposed roots that appear dark, mushy, or broken
• A visible gap between the soil and the trunk base on the leaning side
• The root flare (where trunk meets ground) looking lopsided or sunken

A leaning tree with root damage is one of the most dangerous situations we encounter. Unlike a dead branch that might fall, a tree with root failure can topple entirely -- and when it goes, it brings the full weight of the trunk and canopy down with it. This is especially dangerous during Hampton Roads' frequent storms.

7. Trunk Cavities and Cracks

Deep cracks running vertically along the trunk, large cavities or hollows, and sections where the trunk splits apart are signs of serious structural compromise. While a tree can sometimes survive with a small cavity, large or multiple cavities mean significant internal decay.

Look for:

• Deep vertical cracks: Indicate the trunk is splitting under structural stress
• Cavities you can fit your hand (or more) into: Mean extensive internal rot
• Ants, termites, or boring beetles: Insects colonizing a trunk cavity confirms internal decay
• Sawdust-like material (frass) at the base: Evidence of wood-boring insect activity

A tree with severe trunk damage is a ticking clock. It may stand for months or years, but it is structurally weakened and vulnerable to sudden failure, especially in high winds.

What to Do If Your Tree Is Dead

If your tree shows several of these warning signs, here's what we recommend:

1. Don't wait. A dead tree does not get safer with time. It only gets more dangerous as the wood decays and the root system deteriorates.
2. Get a professional assessment. Call a licensed tree service company for a free evaluation. We can confirm whether the tree is truly dead and assess the urgency of removal.
3. Schedule removal. Once confirmed dead, the tree should be professionally removed before it becomes an emergency. Planned removal is significantly cheaper and safer than emergency removal after a tree falls.
4. Consider the stump. After removal, you'll want to decide whether to grind the stump or opt for full stump removal if construction is planned. We recommend at minimum grinding to prevent regrowth, eliminate pest habitat, and reclaim the yard space.

The Dangers of Leaving a Dead Tree Standing

We understand the temptation to leave it alone. Maybe it's not bothering anyone right now. Maybe you're hoping it'll come back in spring. But dead trees are genuinely dangerous, and here's why:

Falling Limbs and Sudden Failure

Dead branches don't give warning before they fall. A gust of wind, the weight of ice from a Hampton Roads winter storm, or even just gravity on a calm day can bring down a heavy limb. These are called "widow makers" in our industry for a reason. If that tree is near where your kids play, where cars park, or where people walk, it's a serious liability.

Property Damage

A dead tree that falls on your house, car, fence, or a neighbor's property creates immediate and expensive problems. And here's the part that surprises homeowners: if your insurance company determines that you knew a tree was dead and failed to remove it, they may deny your claim for negligence. Proactive removal protects your property and your coverage.

Pest Infestation

Dead trees are magnets for wood-boring insects -- termites, carpenter ants, bark beetles, and powderpost beetles. Once established in a dead tree, these pests can and do migrate to nearby structures. We've seen plenty of homes in Norfolk and Chesapeake where a termite problem traced back to a dead tree or stump in the yard. If only some branches are dead, professional tree trimming may save the tree while removing the hazard.

Storm Vulnerability

Hampton Roads sits squarely in the hurricane zone. We get tropical storms, hurricanes, nor'easters, and severe thunderstorms regularly from June through November. A dead tree that might stand for years in calm weather can become a missile in 70 mph winds. If you're going to be here for storm season, deal with dead trees before the first tropical system forms.

When to Call a Professional

Call a tree service professional if you notice any of the following:

• Two or more of the warning signs listed above
• A tree that failed to leaf out during the growing season
• A tree that has suddenly started leaning
• Large fungal growths on the trunk or at the base
• A dead tree within falling distance of your home, driveway, power lines, or a neighbor's property
• Any tree you're unsure about -- a free assessment costs nothing and could prevent a costly emergency

For more information on recognizing hazardous trees, read our guide on 5 signs your tree is dangerous and needs removal.

Get a Free Tree Assessment Today

If you're concerned about a tree on your property, don't guess -- get a professional opinion. At Tree Stump Removal and Excavation, we provide free tree health assessments throughout Hampton Roads. We'll evaluate your tree, explain what we see, and recommend the best path forward -- whether that's monitoring, treatment, or removal.

We serve Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield, and all surrounding areas.