Ash trees are a favorite landscape staple. But if you’ve just moved into a home with one, or it’s your first season owning one, there’s something you’re sure to notice—the mess! Unfortunately, this is just part of dealing with an ash tree.
Why are ash trees so messy? Ash trees disperse leaves and seeds seasonally. Not only that, but they also tend to shed bark and branches more than other trees. You can minimize your clean-up time with seed prevention treatments, sterilization, and regular pruning.
However, those are only some things that make an ash tree messy. In this guide, we’ll look deeper into why these trees make such a mess and what you can do about it!
Leaves, Seeds, And More Make Ash Trees So Messy
Before we get into what you can do about the mess, it’s important to take a look at the why behind it. You’re certainly used to the typical leafy clutter in the autumn that so many trees, like oaks and maples, leave on the ground.
Ash trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in cold weather.
Once their leaves drop, they go into a kind of dormancy to preserve their energy. When spring returns, deciduous trees start growing back their leaves and ramp up for new growth. Like many other deciduous trees, they also drop seeds in late summer and throughout autumn.
This is just the start of the mess from ash trees, however.
Ash Trees Lose Their Leaves In The Autumn
As we just reviewed, ash trees are deciduous and lose their leaves in autumn and winter. Although they have a lot of leaves, most people are used to raking and leaf blowing—a seasonal chore for every tree owner!
With that in mind, leaves are the most obvious (and the most expected) source of mess from an ash tree. Of course, this can be said for most trees that lose their leaves when the seasons change.
Interestingly, not all trees lose their leaves in the winter. Want to know more? Check out this article highlighting the types of deciduous trees that keep their leaves during the winter!
In The Late Fall Ash Trees Start Loosing Seeds
While they may not have the iconic look of the maple tree’s ‘helicopter’ seeds, ash trees do drop seeds in autumn. These usually drop to ground around the same time that the leaves have turned and the first of the leaves are beginning to fall.
Their seeds also have wings, which is important when you’re looking at the mess they make.
Because ash trees have samaras (the term for winged seeds), the seeds don’t just fall directly under the tree. Instead they spread throughout your yard and everywhere the wind takes them.
These seeds are also lighter than leaves, which means that in addition to their winged form, their weight makes it easy for them to travel quite a distance.
An Ash Trees Brittle Bark Can Make A Big Mess
Ash trees have bark, stems, and branches that are often more delicate than many other trees. That’s why you might see bark littering the ground under your tree.
Bits of bark isn’t the only side effect of ash trees’ brittle wood; they also have broken branches and twigs that frequently fall.
Broken branches can happen at any time throughout the year. However, you may notice them more when the weather turns cold, and the wood becomes less pliable.
Because they’re delicate, they’re more likely to encounter natural damage. This is one factor contributing to the mess that you may be able to mitigate, and we’ll cover that in more depth later.
Of course, if you’re familiar with your ash tree (especially if it’s established and you’ve had it for quite a while), you know that litter from falling bark probably isn’t the most significant burden you’ll encounter. Nonetheless, you can still take care of brittle bark and limbs to reduce your overall maintenance in your yard clean-up.
Ash Trees Produce A Lot of Pollen
Although pollen doesn’t necessarily contribute to the mess on your lawn, it is a mess you might notice on everything in and around your yard. This side effect of owning an ash tree becomes even more noticeable if you have allergies!
Male ash trees are the main culprits of this excessive pollen production, so if you can’t stop sneezing in the springtime and there’s an ash tree in your yard, that might be the cause.
Regulating pollen from male ash trees can be challenging, and pollen can be nearly impossible to eradicate entirely, as seen in this study from the University of Minnesota.
What To Do About The Mess From Ash Trees
Now that you know the cause, you might wonder how to take care of the mess. Fortunately, you can do plenty of things to clean up the mess. But, what about preventing the mess ash trees make in the first place?
Unfortunately, turning a natural tree into a mess-free plastic model is impossible. However, you can take some maintenance measures to reduce the mess when it does come—and it will!
Keep Ash Leaves Raked Up
Leaves are frustrating. By the time you finish one pass, a thousand more leaves have fallen. Even worse, there’s no way to stop it because you can’t control the life cycle of a tree.
That said, there may be some ways to make the job easier!
The Right Lawn Tools Can Make The Job Easier
When you have the right lawn tools, you’ll spend much less time dealing with leaves. Larger, no-clog rakes are excellent because they do more work in less time. Work smarter, not harder!
Also, leaf blowers, vacuums, and mulchers are fantastic ways to get the job done faster!
Are you in need of a boss rake? Check out this Tabor Tools Adjustable Metal Rake. With up to 63 inches of reach and an adjustable head, raking won’t even feel like a chore!
Ways To Dispose Of Ash Leaves Once You’ve Raked Them
Now, when it comes to the leaves you gather, you have a few options. The first is gathering the leaves and letting your local disposal service pick them up.
The second option is getting the leaves together and burning them. However, please check your local regulations to ensure you’re allowed and follow all the mandated procedures.
The third, and most helpful option, is one that you may not have considered: turning your leaves into mulch or compost to enrich your garden.
You can create this mulch yourself, although it can be a laborious task. It’s a good idea to get a mulcher, like this WORX Electric Leaf Mulcher, which will do all the work for you.
Landscaping and Mowing Can Help With Ash Seeds
In addition to leaves, seeds can be a massive pain. If you take a lot of pride in your lawn, the last thing you want is seeds littered around, causing saplings to grow.
You can deal with dropped seeds in several ways. The most natural way to deal with them (although you probably won’t like it) involves sweeping and raking them up.
But there are other options:
- Plant male ash trees. Because male ash trees don’t produce seeds, you’ll never have to worry about them. Just keep in mind that male trees are more apt to irritate allergies due to excessive pollen.
- Keep nearby gardens well mulched to prevent seedlings from growing. If seeds fall onto a bed of heavy mulch, there’s less chance they will root. If they do, simply pulling them up should help—but it can be a pain!
- Mow your lawn regularly. Regular mowing helps mulch fallen seeds. The damaged pods won’t be able to root and will decompose. Additionally, attaching a mower bag like this Leaf Collector Bag for Riding Lawn Mowers will help you scoop up fallen seeds.
- Cut down or relocate the tree. We know this might seem extreme, but if the seeds drive you crazy, it might be your only option!
If you think you’re ready to get out the chainsaw, first take a look at our article on the 5 reasons it might be time to cut down your ash tree, to be sure you’re making the right decision!
Hydration And Pruning Can Help Prevent Broken Branches
If you’re looking at the litter around your ash tree, you’re probably seeing plenty of bark chips, twigs, and even broken branches.
Reduce this mess by ensuring your ash tree is well-hydrated and getting the correct nutrients. You can do this by fertilizing it frequently and using the right formula.
If you’re not sure how often you should be watering, we have an article that explains exactly how much to water your ash tree.
Like many other species, ash trees need plenty of nitrogen. Nitrogen is critical in keeping the leaves healthy, allowing optimal photosynthesis—which we know is how trees make food to fuel growth and replace old cells.
Pruning is another crucial step in preventing ash trees from making a mess with their broken branches. Pruning will help reduce mess, and it’s also good for the tree’s health.
First, it keeps branches from rubbing against one another, which can eventually cause breakage. Next, taking care of problematic limbs now prevents more significant health problems in the future. And finally, pruning your tree helps air circulate through its canopy, which helps prevent mold and fungal issues.
Is There Anything You Can Do To Reduce Pollen In Ash Trees?
The last type of mess from ash trees is pollen. If you’re an allergy sufferer, you might not see the pollen, but you certainly feel it.
It’s important to remember that male ash trees are the main culprits in producing pollen.
Female ash trees do not release pollen. It’s the flowers from male ash trees that produce it. So, if you haven’t planted a tree yet, and you’re set on having an ash tree, planting a female tree will prevent allergy issues.
Just remember, female trees are primarily responsible for seed pods.
Another thing you should know: while some ash trees are either male or female, it’s not uncommon to see hermaphrodite ash trees. In fact, some ash trees even go through a hermaphrodite phase, with some staying in that state.
There are products on the market that claim to sterilize trees and keep them from growing fruit in an attempt to procreate. However, we don’t recommend doing this yourself. Instead, please consult a trained specialist with significant knowledge about this subject.
How To Care For Your Ash Tree
Ash trees aren’t the most difficult to care for, but they still need regular care and maintenance to remain healthy. Keep in mind that different species may require additional care. That said, you can use the general guideline below for most ash trees.
Ash trees do well in most types of soil as long as the soil drains well while also retaining some moisture.
Established trees are more drought tolerant, although they prefer somewhat damp soil. Ash trees also thrive in areas where they can get full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight throughout the day. Ash trees can grow in partial sun, although they will grow slowly and may not reach their maximum height.
This type of tree also needs ample room to grow and to allow its root systems to spread out. Aside from not planting an ash tree too close to other trees, you should also take care to grow them away from homes, walls, and other structures.
As far as trees go, ash trees can survive quite well without extra fertilizer. That said, just because it can survive doesn’t mean you should ignore fertilizing altogether.
For the best health, fertilize your ash tree at least once a year. Always check the instructions on the fertilizer you buy, as some need to be diluted. Likewise, some formulas are designed for annual use, while others need to be used twice a year or more.
How Big Do Ash Trees Get?
Ash trees can get reasonably big upon reaching maturity. In fact, most species reach heights between 60 and 120 feet tall.
If you want to have a towering ash tree, you will need to provide it with optimal conditions to allow it to do so.
How quickly do ash trees grow, you may wonder. Well, ash trees aren’t the fastest growers, but they’re certainly not the slowest either. They’re considered to have a medium growth speed. You can expect your ash tree to add between one and two feet to its height yearly (until it’s fully grown).
If you want to know exactly how long it takes for an ash tree to grown, check out our ash tree timeline!
Why Keep An Ash Tree?
With all the mess they make, you might wonder why people plant ash trees in the first place.
Let’s find out!
They Add Visual Appeal To Your Lawn And Garden
They’re beautiful, add height to a landscape, and make excellent shade trees.
Between their bright green leaves, puffy white flowers, and lazy seed pods, ash trees are unique and beautiful. Moreover, because they grow in height and width, they can add height to a landscape and make excellent shade trees.
Ash Trees Are Beneficial To The Ecosystem Around Them
For example, if you live near a body of water (whether it’s a lake, river, or pond), ash trees can help maintain your shoreline.
A bare shoreline naturally deteriorates and gradually slips into the water surrounding it. The plants that grow near the water typically stabilize the land and prevent it from eroding. Ash trees have strong roots that seek out water, and as a result, they thread through the soil to get closer to the water source. Ultimately, this fortifies the ground around them.
Interestingly, ash trees are used in many alpine areas to prevent natural disasters (like landslides). It’s also becoming more commonplace in countries such as Switzerland according to science journal, Catena.
Local Wildlife Will Love Your Ash Trees
Ash trees can provide shelter to animals who might otherwise struggle to find a suitable habitat. Gardeners will be happy to know that many of the animal’s these trees attract prey on common garden pests.
For example, tadpoles often munch on ash leaves before growing into frogs that prey on pests like mosquitos and crop-eating insects.
So if you’re sick of having your hard-grown plants eaten by pests, a water-side ash tree might be your solution.
Protect Endangered Ash Trees
Another thing you should know is that many of the main ash tree species are endangered. By planting and maintaining them, you’re helping preserve biodiversity.
Unfortunately, Emerald Ash Borers are a non-native, invasive, and devastating pest that has decimated large populations of these helpful trees. Because of that, many species are considered critically endangered.
If you can use our guide to manage the mess of an ash tree while still keeping your tree, you’re doing yourself and the ecosystem a favor.
Key Points
For those that want a quick summary of how to prevent the mess from ash trees, consider this list:
- Keep your tree well hydrated to avoid excess bark shedding and broken branches
- Prune branches before they fail to keep your tree healthy (and your yard clean)
- Regular fertilization can prevent health issues that lead to extra mess
- Consider using a product to sterilize your trees to reduce dropping seeds
- Sterilization can also help reduce pollen production for allergy sufferers
- Always consult a professional or arborist if you’re unsure which process or products to use
Conclusion
As we wrap up this guide, let’s examine the main things we’ve learned. Yes, ash trees are naturally messy. However, you can take measures to mitigate many of those issues, including seed prevention treatments, sterilization, planting female trees, and regular (as well as pre-emptive) pruning.
Something important to remember is that trees, no matter what species, are an investment—even if the central part of the investment is your time. Once you take steps to prevent the mess from your ash tree, you’ll notice a reduction in the time you spend on yard cleanup.
Don’t let a temporary mess prevent you from enjoying these amazing trees. Remember, if you’re unsure what to do, an arborist will help you properly treat your trees. An ash tree can make your yard more comfortable and help balance out the ecosystem surrounding it.
Now that you know how to reduce its mess, why not head on over to our article explaining the best time to plant an ash tree and how to do it.
As always, thanks for reading, and good luck!
References
Hitz, O. M., Gärtner, H., Heinrich, I., & Monbaron, M. (2008). Application of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) roots to determine erosion rates in mountain torrents. Catena, 72(2), 248-258.
Niederberger, V., Purohit, A., Oster, J. P., Spitzauer, S., Valenta, R., & Pauli, G. (2002). The allergen profile of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) pollen: cross‐reactivity with allergens from various plant species. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 32(6), 933-941.
Sawers, B. (2013). Regulating pollen. Minn. L. Rev. Headnotes, 98, 96.
Stephens, J. P., Berven, K. A., & Tiegs, S. D. (2013). Anthropogenic changes to leaf litter input affect the fitness of a larval amphibian. Freshwater Biology, 58(8), 1631-1646.
