Winter Tree Care: How to Tell if a Tree is Dead or Dormant

December 27th, 2022 0 Comments

Are you concerned that one or more of your trees are not looking so great?

Maybe the leaves are not as vibrant as before and it looks like it could be in decline or dead. Don’t worry, there are some easy ways to determine if your tree is dead or just dormant. Jumping into action too quickly can lead to a lot of unnecessary work and heartache, so it is important to make the proper assessment before deciding on a care plan for your trees. This time of year is especially important for Massachusetts residents to take care of their trees. Our local Massachusetts experts at B&R Tree Service can help you determine what steps you should take to properly prepare your trees for any season. 

Tree Dormancy vs. Trees That Have Died 

It’s essential to correctly identify whether a tree is dead or simply dormant because taking action prematurely can cause more harm than good. If a tree is merely dormant, pruning with an untrained eye could cause damage that may be irreversible. On the other hand, if the tree is already dead, pruning won’t make any difference and the best course of action with a dead tree in and around your outdoor living spaces should be removed. However, there are multiple stages of a tree’s lifespan which our certified staff here at B&R Tree Service can help you determine which stage your tree(s) is in. 

Signs of Life with Your Trees, Shrubs, and Plant Collections

The first thing you should do when assessing whether a tree is alive is looking for signs of life – this includes leaves on branches during the warmer months and buds on twigs indicating that the plant’s living part may still be active. B & R Tree Service takes time to educate our clients on specific plant and tree care to maximize health and longevity. Schedule your appointment for one of our certified staff here at B&R Tree Service to visit and assess the health of your plant collection. 

Charlton –(508) 248-9100

Natick – (978) 369-6019 

Shrewsbury – (508) 845-6111

The Quick Test 

If you’re still unsure about whether a particular branch has life left in it, try doing what’s known as “the quick test”. This involves bending a few small twigs from various parts of the tree until they snap off (they should snap easily if they’re in poor condition or dead). If they break with minimal effort then there’s likely no life left in them; however if they resist breaking then there’s still life left in them! Be sure not to bend too hard otherwise you may end up accidentally breaking off live branches which could permanently damage your plant. 

B&R tree service Certified Arborists can help you decide if your trees need removal or if they are currently dormant for the winter. Whether you want to save an old favorite or decide that it’s time for something new, correctly identifying whether a tree is dead or dormant can help inform decisions about what actions you should take next. By looking for signs of life such as leaves on branches and buds on twigs, plus performing “the quick test” by gently bending small twigs until they snap off easily—you will know exactly what kind of condition your beloved trees are really in! With proper care and attention, even trees that seem beyond hope may be able to come back strong and beautiful again with the help of B&R Tree Service. 

If your tree looks dead and you’re ready to replace it, the experts at B&R Tree Service have a full range of services designed to help you get the best results. From selecting new trees that are well-suited to your area, planting them correctly and providing ongoing maintenance – we can guide you through every step of the process. Let B&R Tree Service bring life back into your landscape with their professional tree care services this winter! Talk to us today about how they can help restore health and beauty to your precious trees. 

We can also provide an array of services for dead or dying trees including tree removal along with its debris. Even if you have tried to revive a dead tree with watering and fertilizing, it may be best to have it removed by our professionals rather than risk having the weakened trunk snap during a winter storm or strong winds as ice and snow create excessive weight for canopies that tend to break long lanky branches, or canopies that are too dense which will trap the snow and ice. The goal is that the majority of the snow and ice falls through the canopy to the ground. 

Happy and healthy holiday seasons can be just as important for your trees as it is for you and your family. You do not want unsightly dead trees to become a hazard during the winter season.

Let B & R Tree Service help you improve the health of your trees! 

Charlton –(508) 248-9100

 Natick – (978) 369-6019 

Shrewsbury – (508) 845-6111

Weather any storm with B&R Tree Service

There’s nothing worse than a winter storm destroying your trees.

We offer specialized care and services to protect your trees during the cold winter months. Our services include tree health assessments by our certified arborists to know what service is required such as cleaning and thinning of the entire canopy or only a portion of the canopy to create balance allowing light through to the interior of the tree or to the understory of plants, lawns, pools, roof, driveways, windows etc. along with cabling/bracing of weak branches or trunks.

Tree health services are extremely important in the winter months in Massachusetts, as many areas in the state frequently receive heavy snow and ice build up on branches causing breakage each year. 

Our certified arborists have years of experience in proper winterization techniques that will help keep your trees healthy each season. We know how to deal with dead, dormant and overwintered plants so you can enjoy a full-grown yard come springtime! With our expertise, you can rest assured that your trees are getting the best possible treatment for surviving winter weather. We understand the importance of keeping your landscape healthy—so contact us today. 

Charlton –(508) 248-9100 

Natick – (978) 369-6019 

Shrewsbury – (508) 845-6111

We can also provide pruning and removal services to help ensure your landscape looks its very best in the summer months ahead. Keep your outdoor space healthy and ready for warmer weather with B&R Tree Services today!

With our experience in proper winterization techniques, you won’t have to worry about dead or dormant trees any longer! Let B&R Tree Services help you protect your outdoor greenery from the winter chill. We understand that your trees are an investment, and we can help them survive for years to come with our comprehensive maintenance programs. 

 

Our local Massachusetts tree care services where we have established long term relationships with neighborhood tree and plant greenhouses such as Cavicchio in Sudbury, Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, Trees and shrubs in Southborough,Bigelow Nurseries in Northborough along with our clients in and around these areas assure you we have the very best intentions for your plants and trees. We’ll work with you to create a tailored plan that fits your needs, ensuring maximum protection all season long. 

We can provide whatever services you need to help your trees withstand the cold weather. Plus, our technicians are highly trained professionals who understand how to properly care for all kinds of plants—so you can trust us with even the most delicate species. 

Make sure the trees in your yard stay healthy during the winter by scheduling regular maintenance services with B&R Tree Services. Our certified arborists will assess your property and provide a customized plan to protect vulnerable trees from dehydration, disease, pests, and other potential hazards that can arise in cold weather conditions. We can also help you reduce excess weight on branches before an ice storm or heavy snowfall. 

With B&R Tree Services, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that all dead and dormant trees are receiving the care they need throughout the winter season! Contact us  today to learn more about our services for dead or dying trees.       

Charlton –(508) 248-9100 

Natick – (978) 369-6019 

Shrewsbury – (508) 845-6111

General, Plant Care Services, Town Served, Tree Pruning, Tree Removal, Tree Services
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