3 tree species from Ashes.
Deciduous Hardwood
White ash is the species most people think of when they hear ash, and it is the most impacted by emerald ash borer (EAB). Since EAB arrived in North America around 2002, it has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees. In most regions east of the Rockies, ash tree work now means removal of dead or dying trees rather than maintenance. EAB larvae feed under the bark and cut off nutrient flow, killing trees within 3-5 years of infestation. Preventive treatment with trunk-injected insecticides can protect high-value ash trees but must be repeated every 2-3 years. White ash wood is hard and shock-resistant, which is why it has been used for baseball bats and tool handles. Dead ash trees become brittle quickly and are more hazardous to remove.
$1,000-$3,500 (removal)
Deciduous Hardwood
Green ash was the most widely planted ash species in North America before emerald ash borer arrived. It was used extensively as a street tree because of its fast growth, tolerance of poor soils, and adaptability to urban conditions. Unfortunately, green ash is even more susceptible to EAB than white ash. Entire urban tree canopies in midwestern cities were dominated by green ash, and EAB has created an enormous backlog of dead tree removals that many municipalities are still working through. Green ash trees killed by EAB lose their structural integrity within 2-3 years, with limbs becoming brittle and prone to sudden failure. This makes removal of dead green ash one of the most hazardous jobs in the industry right now.
$1,000-$3,500 (removal)
Deciduous Hardwood
Black ash grows in wet, swampy areas across the northern U.S. and southern Canada. It is culturally significant to many Native American communities because the wood can be pounded into strips for basket weaving. Black ash is highly susceptible to emerald ash borer, and its loss from wetland ecosystems is causing ecological concern because it plays a key role in regulating water levels in swamps and bogs. Tree service work on black ash is complicated by the wet, soft ground conditions where it grows. Equipment access is often limited. The wood is softer and lighter than white or green ash. Black ash is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN due to EAB.
$800-$2,500 (removal)