Top 10 Ash Replacement Trees for your Property

Posted: 2019 | Spring | Summer | Tree and Shrub Planting

The emerald ash borer has claimed hundreds of trees throughout the state of Wisconsin. With its debut in August of 2008, Wachtel Tree Science’s certified arborists have spent the last decade working hard to treat ash trees in hopes to keep them both healthy and alive. However, without the proper treatment plans in place early on, an EAB infestation cannot be reversed easily. In response, we present the top 10 ash tree replacement options, ensuring a proactive approach to tree replacement and restoration.

Is it safe to replant an Ash Tree?

Though the removal of a tree is always Wachtel Tree Science’s last resort, removing defeated ash trees is the best way to lower and control emerald ash borer infestations statewide. If you’ve recently had to remove a beloved ash tree from your property, your space is not wasted. While it’s not recommended to replant an ash tree, the primary reason being to control the emerald ash borer population, there are plenty of ash replacement tree alternatives that can complement your landscape.

Ash Tree Replacement: Top 10 Alternatives

While it’s not required, planting tree species that are native to Wisconsin is recommended. Not only are they adapted to specific soil and climate, but they will require less maintenance, have higher survival rates, and provide both habitat and food for Wisconsin wildlife. Below is a list of ash replacement trees that will prosper and complement the design of your property.

1. Oak Trees

Appearance: White Oak: dark green foliage, golden yellow in fall; Pin Oak: scarlet red late fall foliage; Bur Oak: deeply furrowed bark

2. Musclewood Tree

Appearance: upper surfaces: dark green and hairless – lower surfaces: pale to slightly green and sparsely short-hairy

3. Kentucky Coffee-Tree

Appearance: large leaves bluish-green in color, yellow fall foliage

4. Red Maple Tree

Appearance: red, becoming a brilliant red in autumn with cases of yellow and orange

5. Hornbeam Tree

Appearance: orange to deep red fall foliage

6. Ironwood Tree

Appearance: pale yellow foliage

7. Hickory Tree

Appearance: greenish-yellow with yellow fall foliage

8. Hackberry Tree

Appearance: knobby bark, purple-black fall fruit, and greenish-yellow leaves

9. Skyline Honeylocust Tree

Appearance: green leaf color in the summer and yellow or golden fall color

10. Birch Tree

Appearance: whitish-brown bark, yellow fall foliage

Property Tours and Planting Services

Selecting the right tree for your space can be challenging. Wachtel Tree Science has a team of ISA Certified Arborists that can tour your property and provide the best tree replacement recommendations based on your preference and space requirements.

We also provide professional shrub and tree planting services to ensure your investment thrives. Our relatively unique planting strategy makes planting a high demand service at Wachtel Tree Science. Secure your planting service at a time of year that best suits you by contacting our experts right away.

We were very impressed with the professional stump grinding and new tree quality. The crew leader answered all of my questions and worked quickly and efficiently. The area was very neat after all work was complete.

Evelyn – Jackson, WI

Keeping Trees Healthy & Beautiful Since 1935

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