A dying tree usually tells you before it falls. Dead branches at the top, bark sloughing off, mushrooms at the base — the signs are visible from your driveway if you know what to look for. Here are the seven that matter in West Michigan, and what to do about each one.
1. Dead branches at the top
Crown dieback is the classic first symptom. If the top of your tree didn't leaf out this spring while the bottom did, the tree is in trouble.
2. Bark falling off in sheets
Healthy trees replace bark gradually. Large bare patches that don't heal mean the wood underneath is dead.
3. Mushrooms or fungus at the base
Fungus feeds on dead wood. Shelf mushrooms on the trunk or honey-colored clusters at the roots usually mean internal rot you can't see.
4. Woodpecker damage in neat rows
In West Michigan, heavy woodpecker activity on an ash tree usually means emerald ash borer larvae under the bark. Most untreated ash trees in our area are already infested or dead.
5. A new lean, especially after a storm
Trees that suddenly lean have usually lost root anchorage. This is the most urgent sign on this list — call the same day.
6. Cracks or splits in the trunk
Vertical cracks, especially where two main stems meet, are structural failures waiting for a windstorm to finish the job.
7. The scratch test fails
Scratch a small twig with your thumbnail. Green underneath means alive. Brown and dry means dead — test a few spots to see how far it's spread.
Can the tree be saved?
Sometimes. Caught early, a struggling tree can often be saved with pruning, treatment, or just correcting a watering problem. We'd rather trim a tree than remove it — removals are a last resort, not a sales pitch. An honest assessment costs you nothing.
Why this matters more before storm season
West Michigan gets real wind. A dying tree that would stand for years in a calm climate comes down in one good lake-effect blow. If you've spotted any of these signs, get it looked at before the next storm decides for you — or call our 24/7 emergency line if a tree is already leaning or down.