Tammy SonsFounder/CEO, TN Nursery · CEO TN Nursery

Gardener's Guide: Checking Tree Health with the Scratch Test

24 May 2024 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:42

Scratch a branch's bark with your fingernail to check if a tree is alive. Bright green and moist underneath means it's healthy. Brown, gray, or dry means it's dead. Test multiple spots since one branch might be fine while another isn't.

Chapters

Welcome to TN Nursery! Have you heard about the scratch test? It's a quick and easy way to check if your trees and shrubs are still alive during the winter and to monitor your garden's health. Just use your fingernail, a small knife, or even a coin to gently scratch a small section of bark near the tip of a branch or stem that looks dead. If the inner bark is moist, flexible, and bright green, your plant is likely alive and well. If it's dry and brittle, that part is not alive. A dull green means the plant is alive but stressed, while brown, black, gray, or discolored bark indicates dying or dead tissue. Be sure to test multiple branches and spots, as some parts may be dead while others are alive. Happy gardening!