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.

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.

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.