Top 10 Ash Tree Replacements for your Property

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. If your Ash trees have not yet been treated, it’s likely too late to save them. 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 commonly Wachtel Tree Science’s last resort, removing defeated ash trees is often needed to maintain safety to get the tree out before it randomly fails.  If you’ve recently had to remove a beloved ash tree from your property, your space is now an opportunity to plant a new and better tree. While it’s not recommended to replant an ash tree, there are plenty of ash tree replacement alternatives that can complement your landscape.

Ash Tree Replacement: Top 10 Alternatives

While it’s not required, planting native tree species that thrive in Wisconsin improve the odds your new tree will do well. 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 tree replacements that will prosper and complement the design of your property.

1. Oak Trees

Oak trees are often considered slow-growing, though can often grow as quickly as other native trees. Oaks provide a plethora of food and shelter for wildlife. Well maintained oaks also offer a generations of enjoyment since they are long-lived.

Appearance:

• White Oak: dark green foliage, golden yellow in fall
• Red Oak: scarlet red late fall foliage
• Bur Oak: deeply furrowed bark

2. Musclewood Tree

Musclewoods are a very durable tree which is a native understory tree that can be planted in both sun and shaded conditions. Their unique bark is smooth and fluted giving this tree its name.

Appearance:

Upper surfaces: dark green and hairless

Lower surfaces: pale to slightly green and sparsely short-hairy 

Bark: smooth, bluish-gray and fluted with age

3. Kentucky Coffeetree

Kentucky Coffeetrees are a Wisconsin native which has large, compound leaves which provide great shade in maturity. The flaking bark is very unique and provide year-round interest.

Appearance:

• Large leaves bluish-green in color, yellow fall foliage 

4. Freeman Maple Tree

A popular variety of maple due to its rapid growth and brilliant fall color.  It is a hybrid variety between other native maples in Wisconsin.

Appearance:

• The bark is smooth while young and become fissured with age

• Leaves are green in summer turning a brilliant red in autumn with cases of yellow and orange depending on the variety

5. Sugar Maple Tree

The Wisconsin state tree is a long-lived and sturdy maple that requires good, rich soils. This native tree is a great option for yards and offers brilliant fall colors of orange, red, and yellow! 

Appearance:

• Deep green foliage in summer; orange to deep red fall foliage
• A tall shade tree which will develop into a great specimen in a landscape

6. Ironwood Tree

Ironwoods are a native understory tree which is similar to a musclewood in several ways. Unlike the musclewood, the Ironwood tree has flaky bark with leaves appearing similar to a birch tree. The Ironwood’s unique hop-like fruit is where these trees get their name.

Appearance:

• Deep green leaves in summer
• Fine-textured, often drooping branches 

7. Hickory Tree

Two native hickories, Bitternut and Shagbark hickory, both provide food and shelter for native wildlife.  The Shagbark Hickory is a large tree with very characteristic peeling strips of bark, while the Bitternut Hickory maintains a smooth bark and has characteristic sulfur yellow buds.  

Appearance:

• Large, compound dark green leaves in summer very similar to an ash tree, leaves turn a yellow fall color
• Produce walnut-like fruits about 2 to 3 inches in diameter

8. Hackberry Tree

Hackberry trees are a durable urban shade tree. The bark on this tree has a unique corky bark with a ‘pebbly’ appearance. These are tolerant of the pH soil conditions of southeast Wisconsin.

Appearance:

• Knobby bark, purple-black, persistent fall fruit, and yellow fall color

9. Honeylocust Tree

The Honeylocust is a very durable tree for the urban landscape with filtered shade.  It is a strong growing tree that makes it a very popular shade tree.

Appearance:

• Green leaf color in the summer and yellow or golden fall color

10. Birch Tree

Birch trees are a popular choice for most yards since they have a characteristic and desirable white bark.  This native tree adds a splash of color to a yard year-round.

Appearance:

•  White bark, green foliage in summer turning yellow in fall 

Property Tours and Planting Services

Selecting the right ash tree replacement 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 care-driven planting strategy makes planting a high demand service at Wachtel Tree Science.  Plan now to secure your planting service at a time of year that best suits you.

Contact Us

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

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