Emerald ash borer turned up in Southeastern Michigan in the early 2000s and spread from here across the country. Our area had it first and had it worst. Two decades on, the ash that remain standing in yards and fence lines around Macomb County are often dead or well on the way.
Is it an ash?
Ash have compound leaves with five to nine leaflets, branches and buds directly opposite each other rather than staggered, and on mature trees a tight diamond pattern in the bark. Opposite branching narrows it down quickly. Maple is also opposite, but the leaves settle it.
Signs the borer has been through
- Thinning from the top down. The upper canopy goes bare first while lower limbs still leaf out.
- Shoots along the trunk. Clusters of new growth low on the trunk are the tree trying to compensate.
- D shaped exit holes. Small, distinctly D shaped holes about an eighth of an inch across.
- Bark splitting, with S shaped tunnels underneath. Peel a loose piece and the galleries are unmistakable.
- Woodpecker damage. Patches of pale wood where birds have stripped bark chasing larvae. Often the first thing people notice.
Why dead ash is its own problem
Most dead trees stay predictable for a while. Ash does not. It dries and goes brittle fast, limbs shed without warning, and the wood loses the fiber strength that climbers rely on. Crews treat long dead ash differently for good reason, and it is one of the trees most worth taking down before it comes down on its own.
A dead ash near a house, driveway, fence line or road should be a priority. Standing dead ash in the middle of open acreage is less urgent, though it is still shedding limbs.
Can a live ash be saved?
Treatments exist and can protect a healthy, valuable ash, but they are ongoing rather than one time, and they make most sense for a tree that still has a full canopy. Once a tree has lost much of its crown, treatment is not the answer. Michigan State University Extension publishes current guidance on which trees are worth treating.
Common Questions
Can a dead ash be left standing?
Away from buildings, drives and roads it can be left for wildlife. Near anything you care about it should come down, because dead ash goes brittle and sheds limbs unpredictably.
Is it worth treating my ash tree?
Treatment can protect a tree that still has most of its canopy, and it has to be repeated on a schedule. Once a tree has thinned significantly it is generally too late.
Can I burn ash firewood?
Ash makes good firewood, but do not move it long distances. Michigan guidance is to buy and burn firewood locally to avoid spreading pests.
Get a Free Estimate
If you have a standing dead ash near the house, do not wait for the next windstorm. Tip Top Timber Co. is based in Armada and works throughout Macomb County, St. Clair County and the surrounding area. Call (586) 651-5488 or send us a message for a free estimate. If a tree is already down, our 24 hour line is (586) 651-4552.
