You walk outside one morning and notice a tree in your yard looks bare, brown, and lifeless. Is it dead? Or just dormant? In Central Florida, it can be hard to tell since our trees behave differently than those up north.

The Scratch Test

This is the fastest way to check. Use your thumbnail or a small knife to scratch a thin layer of bark off a twig or small branch. If the layer underneath is green and moist, the branch is alive. If it is brown, dry, and brittle, that branch is dead.

Test several branches in different areas of the tree. A few dead twigs are normal. But if every branch you scratch comes back brown, the tree is likely gone.

The Bend Test

Grab a small branch and bend it gently. A living branch will flex and bend without snapping. A dead branch snaps cleanly like a dry stick. Test multiple branches across the canopy to get the full picture.

Check the Trunk

Look for these warning signs on the trunk:

• Mushrooms or fungus growing at the base or on the trunk — this means internal decay
• Peeling bark that reveals dry, crumbly wood underneath
• Large cracks or splits running vertically down the trunk
• Hollow areas when you knock on the trunk
• Sawdust or bore holes from insect damage

Florida-Specific Dormancy

Central Florida trees can look dead after a cold snap but bounce back. Species like crepe myrtles and some deciduous oaks drop their leaves in winter and may look bare into March. This is normal dormancy, not death.

However, if a tree that should have leafed out by mid-April is still bare, it is likely dead or severely stressed. Palms that turn completely brown after a freeze rarely recover.

When to Call an Arborist

If you are unsure, do not guess. A certified arborist can assess the tree in minutes and tell you whether it needs treatment, monitoring, or removal.

Dead trees are a serious hazard in Central Florida. They fall without warning, especially during summer storms. If a dead tree is near your home, driveway, or fence, get it removed before hurricane season.

Get a Free Tree Assessment

DeAngelos Land Services provides free tree health assessments across Lake Mary, Sanford, Orlando, Deltona, and Central Florida. We are BBB A+ rated, Google Guaranteed, and backed by 211+ five-star reviews. Veterans receive a 10% discount.

Call (386) 675-2303 or request a free estimate today.