Trees decline slowly, then suddenly. The earlier you catch the slow part, the more options you have — and the cheaper it is. Here’s what we look for.
Off-season leaf drop or browning. Leaves yellowing and falling in July, or a canopy that leafs out thin in spring, both point to root or vascular stress. 2) Deadwood at the tips. Branch ends dying back from the outside in is the canopy telling you the plumbing is failing.
Fungus and conks. Mushrooms at the base or shelf fungus on the trunk often mean internal decay — important to assess, because it affects how the tree fails. 4) Sawdust or boring holes. Fine sawdust at the base or small round holes can mean borers, some of which kill fast.
A sudden lean, or soil heaving on one side of the base, can mean the roots are failing and is a same-day call. 6) Cracks and splits at a branch union, especially a tight V-shaped fork. Some of these can be supported with cabling rather than removed.
None of these automatically mean removal. Many trees respond well to treatment or corrective pruning. But all six are worth a certified arborist’s eyes — guessing is how good trees get lost.