December 18, 2025
As we all know, temperatures in Athens can be erratic during the winter months. On some days it’s springlike and other days it’s not pleasant to be outdoors. Due to fluctuating temperatures and days becoming shorter, leaves sometimes fall gradually over a period of weeks and other times it can occur within a single day. On those occasions where leaves suddenly drop, it can be alarming and a cause for concern among property owners.
The question is: how do you tell if your tree is simply transitioning into dormancy or is it a matter of being unhealthy? Start at the branch tips. Dormant trees still hold onto their buds even when everything else is bare. Those buds should look full and firm whereas if they’re shriveled or missing altogether, that’s a sign the branch is probably dead.
Pliability is another way to determine if a branch is dead or not. Living branches tend to bend before they break and if you gently flex a twig and it snaps with little resistance, that area is likely dead. If you’re checking multiple branches and several are brittle, that may be of concern. It should be said that it’s common for even healthy trees to have some dead branches in them. However, if 25% or more of a tree’s canopy consists of dead wood that would be an indication that the tree is either in a state of decline or dead altogether.
In most trees, the absence of bark is also an indicator that the tree is not well. If you notice large sheets of bark peeling off, deep cracks, or fungal growth, that portion of the tree is defective and can be prone to failure. However, there are some species of trees that, in their healthy form, regularly feature shedding bark and examples of those include River Birch, Crape Myrtles and Sycamores.
A tree’s fall color can be brilliant and when the leaves are gone it can be a stark contrast. If you’re uncertain of your tree’s health status, we can help! Call us today to set up an appointment with one of our Certified Arborists. They can assess the tree and determine whether or not tree care measures are needed. As always, life is better with trees and trees are better with us!
