One of the first trees I planted when I moved here was a seedling of green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), given to me by my friend Linda. The native tree has served me well, growing quickly to create shade on the west side of my house.
After the emerald ash borer was detected here, I started treating the tree with a soil drench of Imidacloprid per label instructions and recommendations from Purdue University.
The tree has suffered the indignities of utility line reductions, the worst was about three years ago, when the workers removed all the branches on one side of the tree. However, now the whole tree is in decline. Branches of all sizes have broken loose and fallen onto my plants and the ground. Many are too large for me to do anything with.
Sadly, I’m planning to have the tree removed in January when arborists frequently give discounts for winter work.
I’m going to leave a 2- to 3-foot stump, which I’ll use to place a pot of flowers or a bird bath.
Once the tree is gone, the bed of native smooth leaf hydrangea (H. arborescens), oak leaf hydrangeas (H. quercifolia), fragrant hostas, fragrant lilies (Lilium spp.), hellebores (Helleborus spp.), and spring bulbs will get a lot more sun.
I’m going to plant a native serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis), a multi-stemmed variety. I had one before that I loved but made the fatal mistake of digging it up and moving it in July.
Meantime, I’ll be grateful for the 30-plus years of the ash tree and its shade.
