Spring Tree Assessment: Which Trees Should Come Down?

Spring Reveals Which Trees Are in Trouble

Spring is the best time to assess the trees on your Vancouver WA property. As healthy trees push out new buds and leaves, struggling trees fall behind. The contrast between thriving and declining trees is most obvious in April and May, making it the ideal window to identify which trees need attention, pruning, or removal.

What Healthy Trees Look Like in Spring

Healthy deciduous trees leaf out evenly across the entire canopy. New growth appears on branch tips, and the overall canopy shape looks full and symmetrical. Healthy conifers show bright green new growth at the ends of branches, and last year's needles remain firmly attached.

Warning Signs to Watch For

During your spring assessment, look for these indicators that a tree may need to come down:

• Partial leaf-out. If only part of the canopy produces new leaves, the bare sections likely have dead branches or declining root zones. A tree that leafs out on one side but not the other has significant internal problems.
• Small or pale leaves. Undersized or yellowish leaves indicate root stress, nutrient deficiency, or disease. Healthy trees produce leaves that match the size and color expected for the species.
• Bark falling off. Loose or shedding bark on the main trunk often signals disease or internal decay. Some bark shedding is normal on certain species, but large sections of missing bark exposing bare wood is concerning.
• Excessive dead wood. Dead branches that did not come down over winter are visible now because they have no new growth. A crown with more than 25% dead wood is in serious decline.
• Leaning or root movement. After the wet winter, check for any change in lean or new root heaving. Saturated soil from winter rain weakens root systems, and trees that shifted during storms may not recover.

Trees That Are Candidates for Removal

Not every problem tree needs to come down. But consider removal when:

• The tree is dead or more than 50% dead wood
• The trunk has significant decay or cavities
• Root damage is evident and the tree leans
• The tree is too close to your home and causing damage
• Storm damage has compromised the tree's structure beyond recovery

Why Spring Is the Best Time to Act

Removing trees in spring and early summer means the ground is dry enough for equipment access without tearing up your yard. It also means any landscaping or replanting you do after removal has the full growing season to establish. Waiting until fall means working in wet conditions and losing a season of recovery time.

Walk your property this spring and take stock of your trees. If any look questionable, schedule a professional tree assessment before storm season returns.