Ash Tree Removal

As the Emerald Ash Borer moves through Ohio and the surrounding states, a greater and greater proportion of the Ash population of North America is dying. Now that the forest canopy is once again green and lush, spotting these dead Ash trees are easier than ever.

The mortality rate is nearly 100%. It is likely that within the decade, Ash will no longer be present in the North American forest.

The borer, an invasive species of beetle introduced by Asian timber imports, overwinters in the cambium of members of the North American Ash genus. All species within this genus—most prominently White Ash, Green Ash, Blue Ash and Black Ash—are all highly susceptible to the effects of the insect.

In the southern portion of Ohio and states to the south, southeast and southwest, the damage hasn’t reached the levels it has to the North. In addition to losing most of their commercial value, Ash trees in Michigan and the northern part of Ohio are rapidly becoming a safety hazard.

You see, once these trees die completely, they begin the process of biodegrading like any other dead tree in a timber stand. As the tree breaks down, limbs fall and eventually the entire tree will fall over. If you own timber in the Ohio region, it likely has substantial Ash timber.

Being Proactive About Emerald Ash Borer

There are a number of benefits to being proactive about the threat of Emerald Ash Borer in your woods.

…by acting fast, you ensure your Ash is harvested before its commercial value has been completely wiped out by the borer.

First, when a tree is felled by a professional timber cutter, like those employed by Timber Works, there is a great degree of accuracy in directing the tree towards a particular location.

Our timber cutters can fall your Ash in a direction that minimizes damage to other healthy or valuable trees. Left to their own, it is likely a storm will blow these dead trees over whatever direction the wind happens to be blowing. Further, by acting fast, you ensure your Ash is harvested before its commercial value has been completely wiped out by the borer. Although Ash is not the most valuable hardwood by any stretch, prices for standing Ash timber as well as cut Ash lumber have crept up and will likely to continue to do so as supplies dwindle further.

Finally, by removing these Ash trees before nature takes its course, you reduce the safety hazard posed by falling limbs and debris from high elevations. Dead limbs falling is one of the single most significant dangers in a woods. Referred to as widow-makers in the logging industry, each year falling limbs kill dozens of people including loggers, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

By removing the dead Ash trees before they progress too far down the path of breakdown, a landowner salvages their value and minimizes the risk of falling limbs, making the woods a safer place to work and play.

If you have Ash that are dead or dying in your woods, give Timber Works a call today. Our expert timber analysts can give you an idea of the number of Ash in your woods, their place in the borer destruction cycle and the value for preemptive harvest.