How to Save a Dying Tree

Before the Next Storm Hits

How to save a dying tree? Here is an uprooted silver maple on lawn in Pefferlaw, Ontario

How to save a dying tree? When a silver maple came crashing down during an ice storm in Pefferlaw, Ontario, it was a close call. The tree uprooted with such force that it snapped a nearby Norway spruce in half. The homeowner was lucky—if the tree had fallen in the other direction, the house would have been destroyed.

Proactive Tree Health: Don’t Wait for Disaster

We see this more often than most people think. Trees that appear healthy from the outside may be silently struggling inside. The Pefferlaw incident is a real-world example of what happens when hidden issues like root rot, poor drainage, and internal decay meet one powerful storm.
In this post, we’ll walk through what happened and what every homeowner should know about saving a tree before it fails.

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It Only Takes One Storm

How to save a dying tree? Look for signs before it is too late

Many homeowners assume their trees are fine if they look full and green. But appearance isn’t the whole story. The Pefferlaw silver maple looked healthy to the untrained eye. What wasn’t visible was the wet soil around the base, ongoing internal decay, and weakened structural support.
When the ice storm hit, the tree was uprooted entirely and landed on a nearby spruce, which broke clean in half.
Storms often reveal what’s already going wrong beneath the surface. And once a tree falls, it’s too late.

Takeaway: If your property has large trees near your home or driveway, especially in damp areas, don’t wait for a storm to test their stability.

Trees Are Like Hair: They Keep Growing Until They Fall

How to save a dying tree before it becomes dangerous

 Owner, Chris Sarginson, puts it simply.

“Trees are like hair – they keep growing until they die and fall over or out.”
It’s a reminder that trees are living systems. Like all living things, they experience decline. Older trees, in particular, may look strong but have internal weaknesses that only a trained eye or a core sample would reveal.

Verticillium wilt infects a tree through the roots,

In the Pefferlaw case, the internal heartwood had decayed significantly. Signs of CODIT (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees) were visible in the broken wood — a natural defence, but not a health guarantee.
Takeaway: Internal rot, even when sealed off temporarily by the tree, can mean structural failure is just a matter of time.

Don’t Wait to Inspect Your Trees

Book a tree inspection and avoid losing trees to storms before it is too late

The homeowner in Pefferlaw had never had the silver maple inspected. It had stood there for years, seemingly firm, until it didn’t. She saw firsthand how close she came to a disaster when it fell.

A professional inspection would have flagged the risks: overly wet ground, signs of decay, and a compromised root system.

Takeaway: Annual tree inspections can catch problems early. Especially for trees close to structures, a 30-minute visit from a certified arborist can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

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Root Rot and Poor Drainage Are Silent Killers

How to save a dying tree before it is too late

One of the most significant clues in Pefferlaw was the ground itself. The homeowner mentioned that the base of the tree always sat in wet soil. Trees growing in poorly drained areas often suffer from root rot, a fungal infection that weakens the tree’s anchor system.
With time, the roots deteriorate to the point where a heavy snow load or wind gust is all it takes to bring the tree down.
Even if the canopy looks lush, root systems can be severely compromised underneath.
Takeaway: If your tree’s base is always damp, get it checked. Root rot is almost impossible to spot without digging or core testing, but it’s one of the most common reasons trees fail.

ISA Certified Arborists Ontario

Expert Tree Work You Can Trust

At Sarginson’s, every job is handled by a fully insured crew led by ISA Certified Arborists. That means industry-recognised expertise, safe working practices, and advice you can rely on. Whether we’re removing a storm-damaged tree or inspecting a mature maple near your home, you’ll know the work’s being done properly — and safely. We’re here to protect your property, your trees, and your peace of mind.

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Professional Crew, Professional Outcome

Fallen Tree Removal York Region Ontario

 We removed both the fallen maple and the damaged spruce safely and efficiently. The customer chose to keep the wood, and we left the site clean and safe.

Tree removal isn’t just about chainsaws but safety, training, and care. A precise takedown is critical, especially when trees are near homes.

Takeaway: Always hire certified, insured professionals for emergency tree work.

It’s not just faster – it’s safer.

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How to Save a Dying Tree Fallen Silver Maple Tree after Ice Storm

FAQ

In Ontario, many native trees lose their leaves in autumn and enter dormancy. But if your tree isn’t budding by late spring, has brittle branches, peeling bark, or shows no signs of life while others leaf out, it may be dying. Try the scratch test: lightly scrape a twig with your fingernail. If it’s green underneath, it’s still alive.

Root rot can be tough to spot, but common signs include mushrooms or fungal growth at the base, a sudden lean, early leaf drop, and soggy ground around the trunk. Trees in persistently wet areas are especially at risk. If you’re unsure, it’s best to call for a professional inspection.

Browning needles on pines can be caused by drought, root damage, fungal disease, or salt exposure in winter. If the browning is from the inside out, it may be a natural needle drop. It could be serious if it starts at the top or spreads quickly. Please don’t wait too long to get it looked at.

Start by checking for structural damage. Cleanly remove broken branches, support minor splits with cabling if needed, and keep the tree well-watered through recovery. Avoid over-fertilizing. Most importantly, get a certified arborist to assess if it’s safe to save.

It’s often a mix of long-term stress and a final trigger. Root rot, disease, compacted soil, and pests can weaken a tree over time. One bad storm or drought can then push it over the edge. Trees don’t usually die “overnight” — if you know where to look, the signs are there.

No — once a branch is dead, it won’t recover. But that doesn’t always mean the whole tree is in trouble. Pruning out deadwood helps reduce disease risk and can support the tree’s health. If you’re seeing a lot of dieback, though, it’s worth having it checked.

Could This Tree Have Been Saved?

How to save a dying tree before it fails

Maybe, with better drainage, routine pruning, and an early diagnosis of root rot, the silver maple might have been managed or removed before failure. Unfortunately, the signs were missed until it was too late.

If you want to know how to save a dying tree, you must notice the risks before nature takes over.

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How to save a dying tree? We offer expert inspections and honest advice. Whether your tree needs pruning, treatment, or removal, we’ll help you make the right call if you’re concerned about any of your trees.

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