Ash trees are one of the most common trees in North America, with many varieties found in the United States.
While the number of ash trees in the country has been drastically reduced by the emerald ash borer infestation of the past two decades, many people are working to restore ash trees to their original numbers – and keep them growing as long as possible!
The average life of an ash tree is between 100 and 200 years, depending on the type of ash tree. And with proper preparation and care, some types of ash trees can live for as long as 300 years!
The best way to extend the lifespan of your ash tree is to learn just what it takes to keep it healthy and prevent pests and diseases.
Read on for all the info you need to grow your ash tree to its healthiest potential and set it up to live as long as possible–long enough even for future generations to enjoy.
Why You Should Consider Planting An Ash Tree
Ash trees are lovely trees with beautiful green foliage in spring and summer, plus fall foliage that usually involves yellow leaves, though some trees can have varying autumnal colors.
Ash trees make great shade trees, too, so if you are looking to add some shade to your yard or garden, they can be a great pick.
But there are a number of other reasons to consider an ash tree for your yard.
Ash Trees Are Critically Endangered
Another reason to consider planting an ash tree is that these trees are, in many parts of the country, officially designated as critically endangered.
The reason for their endangerment is the infestation of beetles called emerald ash borers (more on that below), but with the proper prevention and care, ash trees can survive this threat.
Planting an ash tree–or several–in your yard is a great way to help repopulate these once-prolific trees in the United States, particularly the eastern part of the United States.
Ash Trees Produce Valuable Wood
Ash trees also produce valuable wood. If you want to plant just one or two around your home, this probably does not make a big difference to you, but if you are interested in planting lots of ash trees for their wood, you might consider the value of their lumber.
One of the most famous items made from ash wood is the good old baseball bat. Baseball bats have long been made from ash wood because the wood is rather soft and flexible, making it good for hitting baseballs without too much rigidity.
Specifically, baseball bats are most often made from the wood of white ash trees, which is one of the most common types of ash trees in North America.
Ash Trees Are A Natural Habitat For Many Birds And Animals
Ash trees are a hospitable environment for many creatures, both birds and other types of woodland animals.
Ash trees are also home to many North American creatures, including birds like woodpeckers. Woodpeckers even eat the emerald ash borers in ash trees, so they can be quite helpful in aiding the care of your new tree!
Too much activity on your ash tree from woodpeckers, though, can be a sign of emerald ash borer infestation, so keep an eye out.
A few woodpeckers might mean nothing, but a lot of woodpeckers attacking your tree on a regular basis is probably a red flag.
Other animals live in ash trees, too, like squirrels.
The samaras of ash trees–the little whirling seeds that fall in a spiral from the tree–are eaten by many forest animals like foxes, mice, and wood ducks. And the bark is eaten by animals such as rabbits and porcupines.
Ash trees are an important part of many forest ecosystems, and even one planted in your yard can contribute.
Plus, ash trees are extremely fast-growing. For more information on an ash tree’s growth timeline – head on over to our article!
Now that you have considered whether ash trees are right for your land or yard, keep reading to find out how to best plant your ash tree seedling and get it growing strong and healthy from the very beginning.
Planting Your Ash Tree
There are a number of things to consider before you plant your ash tree, like location, time of year to plant, proximity to your house or other buildings, proximity to other plants and trees, and the likelihood of your being able to properly care for the tree as it grows to maturity.
The ash tree is easy to grow and is not picky about where it is planted, so most of these decisions are fairly easy. You mainly get to decide for yourself where you would like your tree to grow!
The best time to plant your ash tree may actually surprise you! In fact, head on over to our article to learn more in-depth information about when to plant your ash tree!
The Best Time Of Year To Plant
The best time of year to plant is usually springtime, as this will give your ash tree the longest possible period of time to establish its roots in the ground.
Having a great base will help the tree withstand the cold, harsh winter months. If you cannot plant in springtime, or perhaps just do not want to wait that long, fall is another great season for planting trees.
Planting In The Spring
To plant in springtime, wait until you are confident that your yard will not undergo another freeze or frost. This time will vary depending on where you live or even what kind of spring season you are having.
Look out for what is commonly called “blackberry winters,” when the temperatures have been very mild or even warm, and then there is a sudden cold snap. If this happens after you have planted your tree, don’t panic. All is not lost.
As soon as you see in the forecast that a cold snap is coming, make the necessary preparations by covering your tree with bags like these Refasen Plant Covers you can help protect it from frost or even ice and snow, for freeze protection.
Planting In The Fall
If you choose to plant in autumn instead of spring, you give your tree the advantage of establishing its roots before the heat and drought of summertime.
So planting in the spring might be a good choice for cooler climates, whereas planting in fall might be advantageous if you live in a very hot and/or very dry environment.
The process of planting in the fall is very similar to the process of planting in the spring. You still have to look out for early frosts and freezes, so try to plant once the heat of summer has passed but before snow and ice arrive.
If a sudden cold snap does appear on your weather forecast, follow the same tips as you would use for planting in springtime: water the plant before the cold arrives, cover the tree, and protect it from the cover.
What To Do Before The Cold Weather Comes
Before the cold weather comes, water the tree so it can take in as much water as possible. This may seem counterintuitive, but it will keep the tree hydrated throughout the time you cannot water it due to freezing temperatures, and it will actually help the tree stay warmer.
Make sure that, when you cover your tree, you use some type of frame to keep the bag from pressing too much on the leaves, especially if there is snow or ice in your forecast.
Your goal is to keep the tree warm and insulated inside the bag, but not to let the bag damage the leaves (if there are any yet) or branches. Once the weather warms again, remove the bag from your tree and, if the ground is not frozen, water it again.
Where To Plant Your New Ash Tree
Ash trees can live most anywhere, so you do not have to worry about picking the exact right spot. In fact, you can mostly make this decision based on where you want the tree to go, as the tree is able to flourish just about anywhere.
Don’t plant an ash tree too close to your house, though. When the branches reach maturity, you don’t want them touching any buildings.
According to New Mexico State University, it is best to aim to plant your tree about 20 feet from your house. This will keep the branches safely away.
Choose A Spot That Needs Shade
Ash trees are amazing shade trees – so amazing, that we have an entire article about why ash trees make amazing shade trees! Since they have huge canopies, are versatile, and grow fast – they’re amazing at providing shade.
Knowing this you should choose a spot where you need more shade or that you would like to make cooler, like a patio or backyard area to plant your ash tree in.
Keep in mind that the shady area will grow as the tree does, so be aware of places where you may have carefully cultivated a garden of sun-loving flowers so that you do not eventually have to move it when the tree reaches maturity and its canopy shades your once-sunny spot.
Caring For Your Ash Tree
Ash trees are very hardy trees that require almost no routine care. They grow well with varying amounts of water, and they do not require special soil or care. You can prune them (more on that below), but you do not have to.
Basic care of your ash tree comes down to one very important thing: insect control.
Protecting Your Ash Tree From Emerald Ash Borers
The number one thing that will shorten the lifespan of your ash tree is an infestation of emerald ash borers. Emerald ash borers are beetles that were discovered in the United States (first in Michigan) in 2002.
In the twenty years since they were first discovered, these little beetles have quickly and drastically impacted the population of many varieties of ash trees in the United States.
The number of ash trees killed by emerald ash borers is in the millions. Infestations have also impacted the number of seeds being produced, meaning that fewer new ash trees are growing in the forests.
But despite the severity of the infestation, progress is being made in restoring ash tree populations. While you might hear a lot of negative information about planting ash trees because of this insect threat, you can successfully grow a healthy ash tree with the right preparation and care.
The Best Method To Keep Your Ash Tree Safe From Emerald Ash Borers
The only proven way to protect ash trees from emerald ash borers is to use insecticides that kill the emerald ash borers.
There are a number of products you can choose from, like BioAdvanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed, which specifically addresses emerald ash borers.
If you have recently planted your ash tree, you should start as soon as possible treating it for emerald ash borers to prevent them from setting up their homes in your new tree. If you are reading this to help care for and elongate the life of an already-mature ash tree, these products will work just as well.
What To Do If Your Ash Tree Is Already Infested With Emerald Ash Borers
If your ash tree is already infested with emerald ash borers, you do need to take the situation very seriously, as many ash trees are killed this way.
One tactic you can take is to employ the help of a professional.
Tree professionals can help get rid of the emerald ash borers with specialized methods like injecting treatments into the trunk of your tree. You can also employ professionals to regularly treat your tree with preventative measures so that another infestation does not occur.
If you want to try treating the tree yourself, move quickly, and don’t delay in seeking professional help if your methods do not seem to be working fast enough. Ash trees can die very quickly once emerald ash borers have set up in their trunks, so do not wait too long.
How To Tell If There Are Emerald Ash Borers In Your Tree
Emerald ash borers are difficult to see, as they usually live underneath the bark of ash trees. To determine whether there are emerald ash borers in your tree, there are some telltale signs to look for.
These are some symptoms of ash trees infested with emerald ash borers:
- Leaves are dying in the canopy of your ash tree (not due to normal winter leaf fall).
- New leaves or twigs are sprouting when it is not the normal season for them to do so.
- Your ash tree is suffering a great deal of damage from woodpeckers. This could be because the woodpeckers are intensely pecking your tree as they try to reach emerald ash borers under the bark.
- There are holes in your ash tree in the shape of the letter “D.”
- The bark is splitting on your ash tree’s trunk, and underneath you can see s-shaped paths that have been carved by the emerald ash borers.
Some Final Takeaways About Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
While infestation in your ash tree of emerald ash borers is very serious, it does not always mean the death of your tree.
But in order to keep your tree living as long as possible, you need to take measures to prevent the emerald ash borers from killing your ash tree or to remove them if they are already there and make sure you prevent their return.
Other Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Ash Tree
Ash trees grow wild in forests all over North America, so they are trees that are very capable of doing well without any intervention from humans at all (except for emerald ash borer infestation).
But while the following methods are not absolutely necessary for the care of your ash tree, they can help it grow faster and stronger, and they can help not only set the tree up for a long, healthy life but also keep the tree looking healthy for as long as possible, too.
Pruning Your Ash Tree
It is not actually necessary to prune your ash tree, but doing so can help in a couple of different ways.
Ash trees actually produce a fair number of dead branches, especially in the lower parts of the tree. This is not a sign of the tree’s death, but just a normal process throughout the tree’s life.
A reason to remove dead branches from your ash tree is that they will remove dead weight from the tree, which can help its branches survive events like ice storms or heavy snowfall.
The best time to prune trees is in late winter, so depending on where you live, probably be February or even March. You can also hire a professional tree service to remove the dead branches for you.
Using Fertilizer To Help Your Tree Grow And Stay Healthy
Another tactic that is not necessary but might give your tree a special advantage is to use fertilizer or plant food, like Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Plant Food Spikes.
These are easy to use and do not have to be replaced very often, so you might find them to be a great supplementary tool to help give your ash tree some extra nutrition.
Enjoying Your Ash Tree’s Long Life
With proper preventive care for its biggest threat, the emerald ash borer, an ash tree can live a very long life with very little maintenance. Ash trees have been known to live for hundreds of years, so the probability of yours becoming a legacy tree is very high.
Ash trees are one of the most prolific trees in North America, populating many forests and lining many suburban streets. You can benefit from this versatile tree by planting one or more near your own home.
For more information about enjoying the beauty of an ash tree in your yard, check out our posts on “10 Plants To Plant Under Your Ash Tree” and “8 Plants Not To Plant Under Your Ash Tree” (links TBD).
Now enjoy this new shady addition to your yard for years to come!
References
Herms, D. A., & McCullough, D. G. (2014). Emerald ash borer invasion of North America: history, biology, ecology, impacts, and management. Annual review of entomology, 59(1), 13-30.
Klooster, Wendy S., Kamal J. K. Gandhi, Lawrence C. Long, Kayla I. Perry, Kevin B. Rice, and Daniel A. Herms (2018). “Ecological Impacts of Emerald Ash Borer in Forests at the Epicenter of the Invasion in North America” Forests 9, 5: 250. https://doi.org/10.3390/f9050250
