Is My Tree Dead or Just Dormant? A Guide to Understanding Tree Dormancy
If you've recently received your fruit tree or nut tree order during the winter months and found yourself staring at bare branches wondering if your new jujube tree, apple tree, or mulberry tree is alive, you're not alone. One of the most common concerns we hear from customers during fall, winter, and early spring is: "My tree is just a stick with no leaves!", or even, "Why does my tree look dead?"
But here's the good news: what looks like a lifeless stick is most likely a healthy, dormant tree - simply doing what nature intended.
What Is Tree Dormancy?
Deciduous fruit and nut trees are supposed to look lifeless in winter - it's not a bug, it's a feature!
Dormancy is a natural survival mechanism that deciduous trees use to protect themselves during cold winter months. When temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, they stop actively growing - think of it as the tree's version of hibernation!
During dormancy, deciduous trees slow down their metabolic processes, drop their leaves, and redirect energy from growth to survival. This allows them to withstand freezing temperatures without damaging their living tissues.
What Trees Go Dormant?
Most fruit and nut trees are deciduous, but not all deciduous trees are fruit and nut trees! Many ornamental trees and shade trees, such as maple and ash trees, are also deciduous, and therefore go dormant in fall!
Trees that MicroStarts sells that go dormant in winter include:
- Almonds
- Apples
- Cherries
- Jujubes
- Mulberries
- Melia azedarach
- Nectarines
- Peaches
Why Dormancy Is Actually a Good Thing
Most trees sold by MicroStarts naturally go dormant, and ship dormant in late fall and winter. While it may be alarming to receive a tree that looks more like a bare stick, a dormant tree in winter isn't a problem! Dormancy allows trees to conserve their energy throughout the cold, darker months of winter, then explode with life in the spring.
Many deciduous fruit and nut trees need this dormant period to regulate their flowering and fruiting stages. If they do not go through dormancy with adequate chill hours, they may grow more slowly the following year and have issues bearing fruit. While dormant trees will not grow any taller or produce leaves until they wake up in spring, they will slowly grow their roots so they are prepared for spring.
Depending on where you live, dormancy can actually be one of the best times to plant a tree - if your area has mild winters, dormant planting can allow trees to establish their roots before spring and, since they aren’t actively growing, they are less vulnerable to transplant shock.
⚠️ Note: Always research growing conditions in your area before planting in late fall or winter. Make sure the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen (or likely to become waterlogged or frozen in the immediate future). If you’re not sure, wait until spring.
How to Tell If Your Tree Is Dormant (Not Dead!)
So how do you know if your new tree is simply sleeping through winter or has actually perished? Here are the key signs to look for:
The Scratch Test: This is your most reliable method. Gently scratch a small section of bark on a branch or trunk with your fingernail or a knife. If you see green tissue underneath, the tree is healthy. Brown or gray tissue indicates the tree is dead.
Branch Flexibility: Dormant branches on living trees bend without breaking. Gently bend a small twig—if it flexes, it’s alive; if it snaps with a dry crack, it’s dead.
Bud Examination: Check your tree’s branches for buds. Buds on living trees are firm and slightly plump; buds on dead trees are often shriveled, missing, or fall off easily.
Root Check: If your tree came in a container, you can carefully inspect the roots. Living roots are firm, white or tan, with white tips; dead roots are dark, mushy, and may smell bad.
The Waiting Game: Sometimes patience is the best tool. Dormant trees can take weeks or months to break dormancy, depending on your climate and the specific variety. Certain trees (such as apple trees and cherry trees) often need a certain number of "chill hours" before they'll wake up in spring. Provide water and a suitable location (see our starter tree care guide for more tips), and they’ll show signs of life when conditions are right.
What If Your Tree Really Is Dead?
Sometimes, despite best efforts in shipping and handling, a tree doesn't survive. If you’ve received a tree from MicroStarts within the last two days, performed the scratch test on multiple branches and the main trunk and found no green tissue, and the roots appear dead, contact our support team.
The Bottom Line
That bare stick you received in the mail is almost certainly a healthy, dormant tree simply waiting for spring. By understanding dormancy and knowing what signs to look for, you can confidently plant your young tree and look forward to the exciting moment when spring arrives and your "dead" tree bursts into life with fresh green leaves and the promise of future harvests.
Remember: dormancy is temporary, but the fruit and nut trees you plant today will provide enjoyment for years to come. Trust the process, and happy planting!