Ash trees are among the most popular and common trees in the country. If you have chosen to plant an ash tree, you are not alone, as there are millions and millions of these trees in the United States, not only in people’s yards all over but also in many wild forests, particularly in the northeastern parts of the country.
You can plant ash trees in your backyard to shade your home, in your front yard to provide beauty in all four seasons, and in forested areas or tree lots on your property. Ash trees are resilient and can handle circumstances like drought, shade, and poor soil quality that might hurt other trees.
We have all the information you need to help you choose a variety of ash tree to plant, the right location for planting it, and the method for actually putting the tree in the ground. So read on to get started on adding an ash tree to your yard.
Why Should I Plant An Ash Tree?
Ash trees are beautiful trees that are prized for both their appearance and their value in lumber. Ash wood is used for a number of products, from baseball bats to musical instruments.
The trees themselves have beautiful foliage that is green in the spring and summer then turns to a lovely yellow in the fall.
There are so many types of trees to choose from when you are thinking of adding one to your yard that it might be overwhelming when you try to choose one. So let’s take a look at some reasons for this particular type of tree.
There are a number of reasons to consider planting an ash tree. Here are a few of those reasons in detail.
Ash Trees Are Great Shade Trees
One of the biggest reasons people may choose to plant ash trees is that they are terrific for providing shade.
If you want a place in your yard to relax in the summer without the harsh rays of the sun, or if you are hoping to cut down on air conditioning costs by cooling your home with shade from a large tree, an ash tree might be perfect.
The University of Florida encourages people to plant ash trees as fast-growing shade trees. Some other types of trees might also be great for shade but you may have to wait decades for them to reach maturity.
Ash trees can grow as much as two feet every year, meaning you can have shade much sooner than if you plant a more slowly growing tree. If shade is what you are after, you probably want the tree to grow as quickly as possible.
After all, a tiny sapling does not provide much shade! So choosing a tree that grows quickly is probably a good idea if you want a shade tree.
The Ash Tree Population Needs Help
Another reason to consider an ash tree is that ash trees are, in many parts of the United States, critically endangered trees.
Planting one in your yard can help boost the ash tree population. While ash trees used to be extremely prolific, especially in the northeastern United States, they are now in trouble because of the horrifying effects of emerald ash borers, a beetle introduced from China just a couple of decades ago that has, in such a short time, decimated the ash tree population in this country.
Planting an ash tree in your yard means that there is one more ash tree in the country to help keep this tree’s population from declining even more than it already has. So while you get a beautiful, hardy, shady tree, the ash tree numbers get a boost.
Ash Trees Are Very Hardy Trees
Ash trees are also desirable because they are very hardy and can withstand extreme temperatures and climates. They are also hardy against drought, wind, and variations in sunlight.
Apart from the emerald ash borer problem, ash trees are pretty hard to kill, so many people enjoy growing these trees because they are so likely to thrive and do well as long as you take care of the insect problem, which we will discuss later in the planting section.
Ash Trees Are Home To Many Types Of Wildlife
Ash trees are homes to wildlife including squirrels, and they aid in providing food for a number of animals like foxes, wood ducks, and mice, according to Henry Ford College. Even the bark of an ash tree is valuable for the animal kingdom, as it provides nutrition to rabbits and porcupines.
Providing food for these creatures not only helps them out, but it gives you the opportunity to site some cool wildlife from time to time in your yard.
Ash Trees Are Perfect For Woodpeckers
Ash trees are also home to a number of birds, like bullfinches. Another type of bird that lives in ash trees is the woodpecker, which actually eats emerald ash borers, so that’s a useful addition to your tree for sure. In fact, the woodpecker population of your tree can help you determine how healthy it is.
One woodpecker is great. Two is also okay. But if a whole bunch of woodpeckers take up residence in your tree, that can only mean that they have found a plentiful food supply, and that is bad news for you and your ash tree, as that means there are a lot of emerald ash borers in your tree, signaling a potentially deadly infestation.
To learn more about how far an emerald ash borer infestation can go before your tree is lost, take a look at our article detailing reasons to cut down your ash tree (and when to do it). This article has some good information to keep in mind throughout the life of your new ash tree, both to help you prevent having to cut the tree down and to help you know what some of the biggest threats to ash trees are.
Where To Plant An Ash Tree
You can plant an ash tree almost anywhere. Ash trees are even somewhat resistant to the negative growing conditions brought about by climate change.
They can endure extreme cold, heat, and even drought. They like sunlight but can also grow with some partial shade. And their roots are not a huge problem for foundations or buildings as long as you give them some space.
But there are some varying factors to consider when choosing a location, so we have broken down three of the most popular options for ash tree locations and provided a quick reference chart to help you decide. Think about the purpose you want your ash tree to serve and see how these locations best apply to your home and yard or even wooded areas of your property.
Plant An Ash Tree To Shade Your House
Ash trees provide ample shade with their dense foliage in the spring and summer months, and even in the early autumn before their leaves fall, but you do have to be careful about planting an ash tree close to your house.
According to New Mexico State University, you should leave at least 20 feet between the ash tree and your home to prevent the roots and branches from causing problems.
Planting a shade tree has a number of benefits, from cost savings on heating and cooling to making your yard more enjoyable in the warm months.
You can also use a shade tree for plants that do not grow well in full sun. The ash tree can be the perfect protection from the sun for plants like ferns or hostas that require shielding from the sun’s harsh rays. Keep in mind that it can shade more than just a house or patio.
Plant An Ash Tree In Your Front Yard
Ash trees are very pretty trees with dense, green leafy foliage. They also change color in the fall, mostly turning yellow but with some variation in ash tree species regarding fall colors.
If you want to plant your ash tree in your front yard, consider not just the distance of the tree from your house but also any other impediments to its growth, like overhead power lines or other trees. Keep in mind that ash trees need plenty of sunlight and room to grow, so do not plant them too close to other trees.
Likewise, be mindful of how close to the sidewalk you plant your ash tree. The roots are not particularly disruptive, but if you have ever taken a walk on a sidewalk that has been literally uprooted by a tree, you know how destructive they can be.
It is also a problem that is difficult to correct once it has happened, so it is best to prevent it by putting some space between your ash tree and the sidewalk.
Plant An Ash Tree In A Forest
You might be thinking, who has a forest they need to plant a tree in? But many people live in rural areas with wooded sections of land, and those forests need upkeep at times just like many yards and gardens do.
So why plant an ash tree in this case?
Ash trees are important parts of many forests in the United States, and planting one in your wooded area is a great idea if you want to encourage animal habitats, increase the forest canopy, or simply replace some ash trees that may have died due to emerald ash borer infestation.
No matter where you need a tree, an ash tree might be the perfect one. To recap, here is a quick reference chart for choosing a location for your ash tree.
| If you want: | Plant your tree here: | Not here: |
| Shade | Near your home | Closer than 20 feet from your house |
| Lumber | In a forest | In your front yard |
| Scenic foliage | In your yard | In a forest |
| Variety in trees | Anywhere! | Not Applicable |
When To Plant An Ash Tree
Ash trees are normally planted in the spring, when the ground has thawed and the freezing temperatures have departed for the year.
Planting in the spring means that the tree will have the longest possible window of time without super cold temperatures, which helps the tree set up its roots and grow before having to withstand its first outdoor winter.
But if you missed that springtime window, you can plant your tree in the fall instead, but do so as soon as possible after the heat of summer but ahead of the first frost. This way, your tree will have some time to get established before the temperatures drop too much.
What If There Is A Risk Of Frost When Planting An Ash Tree?
If you are concerned about frost, you can always use a tree covering to protect your tree from snow and ice. Simply cover the tree when the temperature starts to drop.
Also, make sure to water your tree thoroughly before any frost or snow so the tree will be well hydrated before the freezing temperatures prevent it from getting water to its roots.
Give your tree a boost by using fertilizer, like these Purely Organic Tree and Shrub Fertilizer Plant Food Spikes, which come in a box of six and are made specifically for trees, like your new ash tree.
How To Plant An Ash Tree
Now it’s time to get to the actual work of planting the ash tree. To start, purchase an ash tree in whatever state and size you desire.
You can start with a seed, but our directions here will focus on planting a seedling or sapling. These are available in many sizes, so the size of your young ash tree just depends on what you have chosen.
Preparing The Planting Site
Before you dig, you need to clear the planting area of any debris such as rocks, plants, roots, any tree stumps, and excessive numbers of pine needles or leaves. You can also use this opportunity to take a look at the wildlife and insects that have been near the site.
Additionally, you can use this moment to make sure you are in full sun (at least six hours a day, preferably in the morning) and that the location is not too close to any structures or other trees.
It is okay if other plants are nearby. In fact, it’s a great idea to plant some plants under your ash tree. If you need help with ideas for this, make sure you don’t plant the wrong plants by reading our post about plants you should not grow under your ash tree.
Once you have prepped the site, it’s time to grab your shovel and start digging.
Planting The Ash Tree
Dig a hole that is about two times as big as the root ball of your young ash tree. Make sure the hole is clear of rocks, roots, and other debris.
Then gently lower the tree into the hole, making sure that the base of the trunk is even with the ground. Gently replace the soil you dug up, loosening it with your hands along the way to get rid of clumps.
When you have loosely replaced the soil, pat it down gently with your hands or your shovel. If you need more soil, add it on top, but do not mound it around the trunk of the tree.
Last Steps Of Planting Your Ash Tree
When you have planted the tree, it’s time to water it and make sure the soil around it retains moisture. Begin by using a garden hose, soaker hose, or sprinkler to thoroughly water the tree.
Then apply mulch in a circle around the trunk of the tree, leaving some space between the trunk and the mulch. The idea is that the mulch will cover the part of the ground that eventually will be over the ash tree’s roots.
Now you have successfully planted your ash tree! Treat it soon with insecticide, though. Let’s learn more about that now.
Ash Tree Enemy #1: The Emerald Ash Borer
No article on ash trees is complete without at least a little information on the emerald ash borer, the deadly insect that has been destroying the United States’ ash tree population for two decades.
The emerald ash borer is a small beetle that is green, hence its name, that, also as indicated by its name, bores into the trunks of ash trees. It was introduced to the United States in 2002 from China and, soon after it was discovered, its destructive nature became obvious.
The insect is very efficient at destroying ash trees, as almost any ash tree infested by emerald ash borers will die in a matter of years if not treated. And even some treated trees are unable to be saved.
So far, millions of ash trees have been killed by emerald ash borer infestation, and the insects have also prevented ash trees from producing the seeds necessary to grow new ash trees. The result is a decimation of ash tree forests in the United States.
How To Prevent Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
The only way to protect your ash tree from these destructive bugs is to treat your tree ahead of time, before even a single emerald ash borer appears, with an insecticide.
Many people are opposed to using insecticides, and if you are one of those, an ash tree is probably not a good choice for you. To plant one without treating it is essentially to sentence it to death.
If you are going to plant an ash tree, it is imperative for the life of your tree that you take preventative measures against emerald ash borer infestation.
Begin by using an insecticide before the first emerald ash borer appears. Try something like BioAdvanced 12-Month Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed Insect Killer and Fertilizer, which specifically work on emerald ash borers.
All this talk of emerald ash borers might make you think that you do not want to plant an ash tree, but don’t like this scare you off. All plants have quirks and needs, and the ash tree is just like those.
If you are willing to treat your tree ahead of time and keep an eye on it, plus treat it periodically over the course of its life, you can easily care for an ash tree and keep it free of emerald ash borers.
In fact, the Colorado State Forest Service encourages people to plant ash trees to replace the ones that have been or may eventually be lost to emerald as borer infestation.
That’s A Wrap!
Now you are ready to plant an ash tree, a beautiful and stately addition to just about any home. With the right knowledge and preparation, having an ash tree can be an easy process.
Happy tree planting!
References
Greig-Smith, P. W., & Wilson, M. F. (1985). Influences of seed size, nutrient composition and phenolic content on the preferences of bullfinches feeding in ash trees. Oikos, 47-54.
Varol, T., Canturk, U., Cetin, M., Ozel, H. B., & Sevik, H. (2021). Impacts of climate change scenarios on European ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in Turkey. Forest Ecology and Management, 491, 119199.
