Dead trees are the ones that fall. Dead wood is brittle, dead roots rot and lose their grip, and in a summer storm or ice storm, a dead tree in a Tyler yard is the first thing to come down. Removing it while it’s still standing solid is safer and cheaper than removing it after it hits something.
Call (903) 522-4690 to reach a local tree service in Tyler and Smith County.
How to tell a tree is dead or dying
Pines
- Needles turning yellow, then red-brown, often starting at the top
- Pitch tubes: small popcorn-like blobs of sap on the bark, a sign of bark beetles
- Fine sawdust in bark crevices or around the base
- Bark loosening or falling off in sheets
Oaks and hardwoods
- No leaves in the growing season, or only leaves on a few branches
- Mushrooms or conks growing from the trunk or root flare
- Cavities, soft wood or hollow sounds at the base
- Bark falling away and exposing smooth, gray wood
- Sudden dieback after construction or grading near the tree
Pine beetles in East Texas
The Piney Woods have a long history with southern pine beetles and Ips engraver beetles. Healthy pines can usually fight them off with sap. Drought-stressed, storm-damaged or injured pines can’t. In dry summers, it’s common to see one dead pine turn into a cluster of dead pines nearby. Removing infested trees promptly helps protect the trees next to them.
Why waiting costs more
- Dead trees dry and weaken quickly, and limbs start falling.
- Once the wood is too brittle to safely climb, the crew may need a bucket truck or crane, which raises the price.
- A dead tree that falls on a structure turns a planned removal into an emergency and an insurance claim.
Hazard trees that aren’t dead yet
Live trees can be dangerous too. Call if you see:
- A new lean, or soil heaving on the side opposite the lean
- Deep cracks in the trunk or at a fork between two main stems
- Large dead limbs hanging over the house, driveway or play area
- Major root damage from trenching, a new driveway or a foundation repair
What it costs
Dead tree removal is priced like any other tree removal: by height, trunk size, location and access. Expect a higher price for trees that are too deteriorated to climb safely or that hang over structures.
Call (903) 522-4690 to get that dead tree down before the next storm.