What Is a Zombie Tree and What to Do If You Have One?
If you live in an older neighborhood, chances are there are zombie trees lurking nearby. Sure, those giant, leafy canopies that decorate the yards are beautiful to look at, but they could be posing a silent threat.
The nickname “zombie tree” is used to describe a tree that appears alive on the outside but is actually dead on the inside.
The USDA Forest Service warns that these seemingly normal growths can cause serious damage to your property if left undetected.
So, how do you know what to look for?
Dead branches
Leaves losing color or falling off before the seasonal change
Woodpecker activity
Uplifted roots
Unusual gaps or rifts in the bark
One of the selling points when I got my mid-century home six years ago was all of the gorgeous greenery. Over the past 18 months, my boyfriend noticed that one of the majestic Bois d’Arcs next to my deck has started leaning over the house. It had contorted so much that the once-hidden underground roots were now on full display.
The leaves had also begun falling in July which is early, even in the Texas heat.
The telltale splits in the trunk were highly present, and from our vantage point, the foliage extended much farther over the roof than it had in prior years.
This ol’ girl needed help.
Not only was she becoming unsightly, our once grandiose nature feature was also threatening to destroy our home.
We decided to call a professional for advice and after multiple chats, the resounding solution was to cut the damn thing down.
When your trees reach zombie status, the general consensus is to have them removed. There are companies who specialize in reviving your decomposing hardwoods so you should research all options before making a final decision.
Check out how we spread her remains in the follow-up stump-grinding blog. We’ll miss you, Woody.
