Is Your Red Maple Dead? How to Check

Sudden Leaf Death

An 11-year-old red maple in West Virginia has all leaves dead as of two weeks ago. The tree appeared healthy previously.

Scratch Test for Vitality

1. Start at the tip of an upper outer branch.
2. Scrape a small area of bark with a knife or fingernail.
3. Green tissue underneath = alive. Brown = dead at that point.
4. Work downward along the branch, then check other branches.
5. If no green is found anywhere, including the main trunk, the tree is dead.

Next Steps

If dead, removal is necessary. Consider replacement with a species suited to the site. If any life remains, consult an arborist for possible recovery strategies.