Woody Dormant Plants - Dead or Alive?

You can usually tell whether a dormant woody perennial (tree, shrub, or vine) is alive with a few simple checks. Do several of these—one test alone isn’t always conclusive.  All plants shipped while dormant undergo a scratch test and a root test before shipment. 

We DO NOT recommend forcing these plants indoors; they should be allowed to experience winter naturally, which is the most gentle for the plants.  

Feel free to scratch the back and check the roots upon delivery so you know what a healthy plant looks like.  This way, if there are issues later, it will be clear if the plant is still alive or not.

1. The scratch test (most reliable)

https://www.wilsonbrosgardens.com/assets/images/Blog%20Pics/Scratch-Test-Results-1.jpg
  1. Use your fingernail or a knife to scrape a small patch of bark gently.
  2. Look just beneath the bark:
    • Green, moist tissue → Alive
    • Brown, gray, or dry tissue → Dead

👉 Start near the tips and work downward. If the tip is dead but the lower tissue is green, the plant is still alive.

2. Bend test (quick check)

Gently bend a twig:

  • Flexible, bends without snapping → Alive
  • Snaps cleanly and feels brittle → Dead

⚠️ Dormant wood can be firm, so combine this with the scratch test.

3. Bud inspection

Look closely at buds:

  • Plump, firm buds → Alive
  • Shriveled, dry, or missing buds → Likely dead

You can lightly cut into a bud—green inside means viable.

4. Check multiple stems

Many woody perennials die back unevenly.

  • Test several branches, including near the base.
  • If anything is green, the plant is alive and can regrow.

5. Root and crown check (if still unsure)

Gently dig near the base:

  • Firm, light-colored roots → Alive
  • Black, mushy, hollow, or foul-smelling roots → Dead

For shrubs and perennials, also check the crown (where stems meet roots).

6. Time and temperature matter

  • In early spring, some plants leaf out very late (e.g., figs, hibiscus, crape myrtle, kiwis).  Other plants, such as berries and elderberries, leaf out earlier.
  • Cold soil delays growth even if the plant is alive.

🕒 Rule of thumb: wait until well after similar plants nearby have leafed out before declaring it dead.

When it’s truly dead

  • No green tissue anywhere
  • All stems brittle
  • Roots rotted or completely dry

At that point, it is safe to assume the plant is dead.