Oh no! We’re so sorry to hear your formerly beautiful tree appears to be dead. Seeing a tree deteriorate over time and ultimately die is heartbreaking!

Continue reading to learn what you should do with a dead tree in your yard.

When You Should Cut Down A Tree On Your Property

If you think your tree needs to come down, you want to move fast! Get an expert’s opinion, confirm it needs to be removed and take the next step as soon as possible. An unstable tree that could fall puts your home and safety at risk!

Should All Dead Trees Be Cut Down?

Yes! If your tree is 100% dead, then that’s that. You need to make arrangements to take it down quickly. Mature trees are big, hefty objects. A single post oak tree can weigh 4,400 pounds. That means if it were to come down on its own, it could do a ton of damage (or should we say 2.2 tons of damage).

And if your dead tree falls on its own and damages your home, you’ll probably have to pay for that expense out of pocket! Many homeowners’ insurances don’t cover tree damage if the tree should have been removed before a storm.

To sum it up, if your tree is dead, you need to mitigate the risk before it turns into an accident.

On the flip side, if you’re not completely sure your tree is dead, have a certified arborist inspect it and provide a diagnosis. A tree may look dead to you, but a certified arborist with years of experience may see a tree with an easy-to-fix issue!

Can I Decorate Or Paint A Dead Tree?

If the tree could fall and damage your home, any nearby objects, or passersby, you need to remove that tree for the above reasons.

But if the tree is isolated, you can try painting or decorating it. For safety’s sake, we’d recommend saving a few of the dead branches for decoration and removing the tree.

How Long Does It Take A Dead Tree To Fall?

We wish we knew! But because every tree is different, there’s no saying how long a dead tree will stand before it falls. It could be days or years.

In fact, sometimes trees that appear healthy can even fall during a storm. They’re unpredictable that way! That’s why it’s safest to remove your dead tree as soon as you can. Then, you don’t have to worry if the next big storm will uproot or break your tree. Better safe than sorry!

Here’s how to tell if a tree needs to be cut down!

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