Is your tree an ash?
Ash trees have compound leaves with five to nine leaflets arranged in pairs along a stem, and branches that grow directly opposite each other. Mature bark has a diamond shaped pattern of ridges. If you are not sure, send us a photo of a leaf.
Why dead ash trees are dangerous
Ash killed by the borer dries out and becomes brittle much faster than most dead trees. Large limbs can snap without wind, and the trees can be unsafe for climbers within a year or two. That is why early removal matters.
Your options
- Healthy, valuable ash: consider preventive treatment on a regular schedule
- Ash with moderate decline: have it assessed before deciding
- Ash with major dieback: plan removal soon, before it becomes brittle