Why Do Tree Branches Die?

Ever wonder why do tree branches die? Tree branches die because of natural reasons, insect infestation, fungal infection, water damage, or incorrect soil pH. More on those below.

Dead branches doesn't mean a dead or dying tree but healthy trees aren't going to have dead branches in excess. Here's a list of things to look out for if you suspect your tree is in poor health.

Why Do Tree Branches Die? Top 4 Reasons

1. Natural Reasons: Your Tree Might Be Doing This On Purpose
2. The Tree Is Infested With Insects
3. The Tree Has Fungus
4. Water Damage/Soil At Wrong pH

Natural Reasons: Your Tree Might Be Doing This On Purpose

Before you freak out know that trees sometimes trim themselves. If you see a few dead branches, realize this could be a normal part of the tree's life.

Why would they this? Well, under normal circumstances, a healthy tree might just get rid of some leaves or dead branches to maintain its overall health. Like a snake shedding its skin (if we can use that analogy), it makes way for a beautiful and more glorious Tree.

Or the tree is just giving itself a haircut... That being said, you probably wouldn't notice when a tree is self-thinning. It's not an egregious process like when a tree drops its leaves. It's subtle.

If you are reading a blog post about why tree branches die, then you probably have a bigger issue like bugs or fungus. Remember: a few dead branches is nothing to worry about but it could be a red flag for your tree's declining health. Check out some of the other reasons below if you are sure you didn't over-prune the tree.

The Tree Is Infested With Insects

Typically tree's start to lose significant limbs if it is infested with bugs, fungus, or disease. A lot of the times, the infestation can be the direct result of borer, or, an insect that bores into the center of the tree to feed off of its insides.

When it comes to borers, the most common types are going to be the larvae of either beetles or moths. As much as we love the earth, we have to admit... we don't like bugs (but we understand their importance in the circle of life).

But there is nothing more disheartening then seeing your beautiful tree get over run by an insect infestation. And there is nothing that will lead to dead branches quicker.

If you suspect you have a borer, consider getting professional help as soon as possible. Try to educate yourself on what a tree infection looks like so that save the tree if needed.

The Tree Has Fungus

Okay, okay, trees can't actually get jock itch, but they can get fungus infections leading to branch or tree death. A fungus infection could be destroying the entirety of the tree or just a lone branch but even if you get rid of that branch, you won't be able to tell if the tree is cured.

Typically, a good warning sign is mushrooms growing on the branches or roots. Keep in mind that seeing the mushrooms or the spores is only seeing the smallest part of the fungus infection. The majority lives within the tree.

Advice? Don't do anything drastic.

If you see some mushrooms or spore, then consider contact a professional before you attempt any ad hoc solutions. If you don't know, then you don't know so don't fix a problem that might not exist.

Now, if the tree is falling apart, you should act with urgency. The tree does have a natural defense mechanism but if the damage is egregious, consider contacting a professional.

Water Damage/Soil At Wrong pH

Thought uncommon, it is entirely possible that your tree and the soil around your tree could be suffering from water damage.

Excess water can quite literally drown a tree so if you had any major rain storms lately and your trees are acting a bit strange, it is something to consider. The roots actually need oxygen to survive so excess water could be depriving them.

Excess watering can be caused by both rain storms and improper watering technique. Too often beginners will overwater their young plants with a manual overhead spray that harms the tree more than helps it. Either make sure you are watering properly or look into a watering system that takes the guesswork out of it.

On the flip side, a lack of water can cause the tree branches to die as well. Be watchful over your tree in times of drought to make sure it gets the water supply that it needs.

Soil At Wrong pH

Further, if you remember from chemistry class, too much water could dilute the soil to such an extent that it actually alters the soils pH levels.

Given you put so much effort into planting with the proper pH, you understand that a tree growing in a too basic or too acidic soil will be detrimental.

Additionally, if the soil has iced over because the tree was planted during the wrong time in a suboptimal hardiness zone, this could also lead to decay or death within the tree.

What Are The Warning Signs Of A Sick Tree?

1. It's got no leaves
2. Brittle bark that is falling off the tree
3. Lifted root systems
4. Early Leaf Shedding

It's Got No Leaves

If the entire tree has no leaves late in the season, like well past spring, then there is a good chance the tree is a dead or dying tree. If your tree's branches are naked without a sight or hope of a leaf, then you may want to consider calling someone out to look at the tree because those are dead branches.

Brittle Bark That Is Falling Off The Tree

There is no better warning sign than the health or not health of a tree's bark.



A tree trunk that is rotting, or excessively dry with the bark brittle and falling off is generally speaking, another bad sign.

Lifted Root Systems

Lifted root systems doesn't mean the tree has some roots that are above ground, no. It means that the root system appears elevated out of the ground, as if the roots are hanging on for dear life to keep the tree from toppling over.

The tree could possible even be leaning. If this is the case, you should contact a professional immediately, and potentially remove the tree. A falling tree is a hazard that everyone should seek to avoid.



Any sign of root damage should be investigated. Tree roots are how trees absorb nutrients from the Earth, so if the roots are in bad shape, the tree will eventually die.

Early Leaf Shedding

Early leaf shedding isn't something that is necessarily bad but isn't altogether good either. With climate change running rampant, and the lines between seasons blurring more and more each year - trees are getting confused. They might start dropping leaves earlier than expected.

Now, if your tree start's dropping it leaves or doesn't ever get leaves by say, August, then your tree is likely in a bad spot. Early leaf shedding isn't something that is necessarily bad but isn't altogether good either.



With climate change running rampant, and the lines between seasons blurring more and more each year - trees are getting confused. They might start dropping leaves earlier than expected.

Final Thoughts

In the end, you can always cut off the dead tree branches. For some branches, it's just their time to go. Otherwise, trimming your tree is a great way to keep the tree healthy and alive.

Before you go...

Knowing what tree branches are dead or dying is only half the battle. The next step is chopping them off (safely, of course), so your tree can reroute the energy to other parts of its body. Be sure to read our article on the best tools to cut tree branches so you can make your tree lively again...

• The Top 10 BEST Tools For Cutting Tree Branches

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