“Zombie trees” could be taking over your yard

They may be in your yard, and you don’t even know it. Zombie trees!

These are trees, normally after a storm, that look fine at first glance but are slowly starting to die on the inside. 

After a storm like Hurricane Ian, many people had damage to their property, especially our trees. 

Zombie trees are just like the Walking Dead in horror movies. They’re unattractive and can cause serious damage.

But you may be able to bring them back to life.

Dave Spartin is in the middle of building a new home in Naples.  The lot has a few trees, two huge ones in the front yard that are maybe 50 or 60 years old. 

“Everyone told me that I was going to lose the trees. During hurricane Ian, the water came in, and it was about six feet up on the trees,” said Spartin.

The Gulf water penetrated the roots of the trees, killing them from the inside out.  

At first, the trees may look fine, like they’re still alive, but then problems can come. The best option is to call a professional arborist to take a look and determine if the tree can be saved. 

“It could be anything.  If the trees are discolored, dead wood, the tips of the limbs dying back, down to mushrooms and the bare or anywhere on the tree for that matter,” said Rich Wiland with Davey Tree. 

To read how Rich saved Dave's tree, click here.