WHEN IS IT TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO A PLANT?

Are your plants looking a little “dead?” Dormancy or dehydration could cause the browning or wilted look, but how do you know when a plant is dead or dormant? Dormancy is a natural state or time for some plants and trees. Just as animals hibernate to conserve energy, plants, and trees do the same. They send any energy and vital nutrients made to their roots as they stay alive during the cold winter months.

There are several easy ways to tell if a plant/ tree is dead or dormant. One of the easiest is to see if the stem of the plant is still pliable. You should be able to easily bend the plant without it snapping. If it does break when bent, check the inside of the stem to see the color. Green is good! It means the plant is still alive, lack of green means it is most likely dead. A brown or tan interior or your plant/ tree means they are likely dead. You should scratch down the stem some to see if you can unearth any green further to check if there is no initial green spotted. Lightly scratching down the bark into the cambium layer of the tree will allow you to see this green nutrient-rich layer. 

You can also check the roots of plants to see how they are doing. Roots should not be dry, brittle, or mushy. If they are it’s time for a new plant! 

It’s also important to remember that individual branches can be dead with trees and shrubs, but not the whole plant. So, when doing the limb check, if the branch snaps off and has a greyish inside this could just be an indication of that branch being dead. A good way to tell if the whole tree is dead would be to look at the bark. If the tree is missing bark at the base of it this is a sign that, is it struggling to regenerate bark. Trees shed and regrow bark if they are healthy, an unhealthy tree will not regrow its bark. Remember the bark in a tree or plant acts just as our skin acts on us. It serves as a valuable protectant to the tree or plant. If the bark is removed it can cause the same issues in the tree as if the skin was ripped off of you. 

Plants can go for many different reasons, most relating to illnesses or bad conditions for growth. Knowing what is suitable for your climate and region as well as proper care for your yard can keep your plants healthy and alive. Always remember- plants and trees have a life cycle just as all living things. They are not designed to live forever. There is a time to remove the old or dying tree or plant and replant with new. This will help the local plant community give your landscape a new and revived look. Happy planting!