Signs a Tree Is Dying or Dangerous

Last updated: October 26, 2026

Many trees show warning signs before they fail. Learning to spot them lets you deal with a problem on your own schedule instead of after the next storm. Here is what to look for, from the ground, without climbing anything.

Walk around the tree and look up

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a professional association for tree care, lists these warning signs:

1. Dead branches. Large dead limbs in the canopy are "probably the most obvious" hazard. They have no leaves when the rest of the tree does, and bark may be falling off.
2. Cracks and splits. Look for long cracks running up the trunk or through big branches, and splits where two branches meet.
3. Weak forks. Two or more trunks growing from the same point can be a failure point.
4. Decay. Mushrooms or other fungi on the trunk or roots, holes, or soft, rotten wood.
5. Cankers. Sunken or dead patches of bark. Small ones may not matter; large ones can weaken the tree.
6. Root problems. Cracked or lifted soil at the base can mean the roots are moving, which is especially worrying if the tree leans.
7. Lean and shape. A lean is a warning sign, especially a new one or one that's getting worse. So is a tree with all its weight at the ends of long branches.
8. Past bad pruning. Trees that were topped or heavily cut are on the list too: bad pruning can weaken a tree.

After a storm: can it be saved?

Texas A&M guidance for storm-damaged trees comes down to a few questions:

• How much of the crown is left? A tree that lost more than half of its crown is unlikely to recover.
• Is the trunk split? A split trunk is a serious sign the tree may not survive.
• Did it lose its main top? The tree may live but grow stunted or misshapen. It's a judgment call.
• How big are the wounds? Large tears compared to the branch size heal poorly and invite rot and insects.

If the tree can be kept, the advice is to remove only the damaged limbs and resist cutting off more than that.

Is my tree dead or just dormant?

After the February 2021 freeze, Texas A&M Forest Service asked Texans to wait until mid-July before cutting down leafless trees. Some came back late. Their rule of thumb: if about a quarter or more of the crown has leaves, the tree has a chance. A tree that hasn't put out a single leaf by midsummer is almost certainly dead.

For palms, look at the top. A palm that has grown a new frond is alive. If there's no green at all, the palm is dead and has started rotting inside.

What's urgent and what can wait

Call today and keep people away if:

• A tree or big limb is cracked, split or hanging, over the house, a driveway, a sidewalk or a play area.
• A tree started leaning after a storm, toward something it could hit, and the soil at its base is cracked or lifted.
• Branches are touching power lines. Call the electric company or 911 first.

Schedule a visit soon if:

• There are large dead branches, but nothing is moving.
• You see mushrooms, holes or soft wood at the base.
• A palm has no green growth after a freeze.

Keep an eye on it if:

• A healthy tree has a few small dead twigs.
• A palm has a few brown fronds at the bottom of the crown.

What not to do

• Don't climb a damaged tree or use a chainsaw from a ladder.
• Don't touch branches that are near or on a power line. In Texas, people and tools must stay at least 6 feet away from high-voltage lines unless the line company has made the area safe.
• Don't let anyone talk you into topping a tree as a "safety" fix. It weakens the tree.
• Don't hire the first person who knocks on your door after a storm. Ask for insurance and a written price.

When to get a professional opinion

If you see any of the warning signs above, have the tree looked at. ISA recommends an ISA Certified Arborist for a full assessment. A local tree service can tell you whether a trim will fix the problem or the tree should come down, and what each option costs.

Sources

• ISA – Recognizing Tree Risk (PDF)
• Texas A&M – Can These Trees Be Saved? (PDF)
• Texas A&M Forest Service – Tree care after Winter Storm Uri
• Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 752

Related

• Tree removal
• Tree trimming
• Getting trees ready for hurricane season

Tree service in McAllen, Edinburg and Harlingen.

Worried about a tree?

Call and have a local tree pro take a look.