How to Spot Dead or Dangerous Branches After a Long Winter

Winter is nearing its end (well, kinda), but your trees still look like they’re hibernating. On top of that, the heavy snow, wind chills, and wild temperatures have left some branches hanging on for dear life. Your best bet is to spring into action (pun intended). You don’t want a weak branch dropping on your car, or worse, on a passerby!

Remember, it’s been a long winter, and leaves need time to start to bud. So, telling the difference between a dead branch and one that’s perhaps taking its time to wake up isn’t always straightforward.

The good news is with a little observation, a bit of patience, and a few simple tricks, you can spot the difference.

How to Identify Dead or Dangerous Branches

The long winters in cities like Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, and Saskatoon are especially tough on trees, and not all branches make it through in one piece. Here’s how to tell if a branch can bounce back or it needs to go:

• The Snap Test: Find a small twig on the branch in question and try bending it. If it snaps cleanly and feels dry, it’s dead. A living branch will bend and have some flexibility. If you scratch the bark with your fingernail and see green underneath, it’s still alive.
• Discoloured or Peeling Bark: Bark that’s flaking, cracked, or missing may be a sign that the branch is no longer healthy. If large areas of bark have fallen away, exposing dry, grey wood, the branch is likely dead.
• No Buds or Leaf Growth: By early spring, healthy branches should start showing tiny buds or new leaves. If a branch remains bare while the rest of the tree fills out, it may not be coming back.
• Fungal Growth or Mushrooms: If you spot fungi, mushrooms, or bracket growth on a branch, it’s likely decaying from the inside out. Fungal infections indicate that the wood is rotting, making the branch weak and prone to breaking.
• Hollow or Brittle Wood: Tap the branch gently. If it sounds hollow or crumbles easily, it’s probably dead. Healthy wood will be firm and solid.
• Cracked or Split Branches: Ice, snow, and strong winds can create stress fractures or deep cracks in tree limbs. Even if the branch isn’t fully detached, these cracks weaken its structure and make it more likely to break under stress.
• Hanging or Partially Detached Branches: A branch that is dangling, leaning at an odd angle, or partially torn away is an immediate hazard. These branches can fall unexpectedly, especially in strong winds or storms.
• Weak Branch Unions: Some branches form at sharp angles, creating weak attachment points. If a branch is splitting where it meets the trunk, it may eventually break off.

Keep in mind that while this is meant to be a way for you to identify potential tree health problems, you may be prone to misdiagnosing. We always recommend having a certified arborist come in and do the assessment for you to eliminate all doubt. The good news is that our tree assessment is free.

When to Act on Problem Branches

It’s tempting to take a wait-and-see approach with tree branches, but when it comes to damaged, dead, or weak limbs, waiting too long can lead to serious risks. Keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• If a branch is cracked, split, or hanging precariously, it’s a hazard waiting to happen. Strong winds, rain, or even a light breeze could send it tumbling, causing damage to homes, vehicles, fences, or people below.
• If a branch is hovering over your roof, driveway, or power lines, it needs attention. Strong winds or ice accumulation could cause it to crash, leading to costly repairs or power outages.
• If several branches on your tree are brittle, discoloured, or peeling, the tree might be in decline. Addressing these branches early can prevent further stress or disease spread.
• Some trees have naturally weak branch unions, especially if they form narrow, V-shaped connections. If you notice a large branch splitting at the base, it should be removed before it falls.

How to Safely Remove Dead Branches

Once you've identified dead or hazardous branches, the next step is removing them safely. While smaller branches can often be handled on your own, larger limbs or those near structures require extra caution and professional help.

Use the Right Tools for the Job

For small, manageable branches, hand pruners or loppers work well. If the branch is larger than an inch in diameter, a pruning saw is a good call. Pole pruners can help you reach higher branches, but never attempt to cut a branch beyond your safe reach. For large limbs, chainsaws should only be used by trained professionals.

Make the Right Cuts

Where you cut matters, always prune just outside the branch collar, the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk. This helps the tree heal properly and reduces the risk of infection. If a branch is heavy, use the three-cut method:

1. Make a small cut on the underside of the branch a few inches from the trunk. This prevents the bark from tearing when the branch falls.
2. Make a second cut further out on the branch, removing most of the weight.
3. Make the final cut just outside the branch collar, allowing the tree to seal the wound effectively.

Avoid Over-Pruning

Removing too many branches at once can shock the tree, making it vulnerable to disease and slow recovery. As a rule of thumb, never remove more than 25% of a tree’s canopy in a single year. If a tree has extensive damage, reach out to us so that we can determine the best approach.

When to Call In the Professionals

If the branch is high up, near power lines, or too large to handle safely, it’s time to bring in certified arborists. Professionals have the right equipment and expertise to remove hazardous branches without endangering your property or yourself.

Don’t Let Deadwood Stick Around – Call the Pros

The long winters of Western Canada are tough on trees, but you don’t have to tackle the aftermath alone. Whether it’s dead branches, winter damage, or a full tree assessment, Green Drop’s ISA-certified arborists are here to help.

Our expert tree care services ensure your landscape stays safe, healthy, and thriving all year round. We proudly serve Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Regina, and Saskatoon, offering pruning, tree removal, and complete tree health solutions.