05/15/2026
A dying tree doesn't always go down all at once. Usually there are warning signs that show up months or years before a failure, and most of them are visible to any homeowner who knows what to look for. Now is a good time to check, because a tree's response to the new growing season tells you a lot about what's happening underneath the surface.
The five signs worth watching are: no new growth or severely delayed leafing-out when the trees around it are fully leafed; large sections of bare branches or dead wood scattered through the canopy; bark that's peeling, cracking, or falling away in pieces without regrowth underneath; fungal growth at the base, including shelf fungi, mushrooms, or white stringy growth at the root collar; and a trunk that sounds hollow when you knock on it, particularly in combination with any of the other signs above.
One or two of these on their own doesn't always mean removal is necessary. Some are treatable; some indicate a tree in structural decline that still has years left in it. But multiple signs together, or any sign that comes with visible structural concerns, means it's worth having a professional take a look before storm season puts load on a compromised tree.
Clear Cutters' full post on dying tree signs is linked in the comments. If you've got a tree you've been watching, call 903-805-9619 or visit clearcutterstx.com for a straight, upfront estimate.
Is there a tree on your property right now that you've been keeping an eye on, wondering if it's doing fine or heading toward a problem?