Replacing dead ash trees

[swampbuck]

check with your local NRCS office, there is programs Via CSP and EQUIP that pays you to replace the ash and also fence off the newly planted trees. I am replacing the ash with Swamp white oak, tamarack, wild plum and cedar. At a minimum the payments would allow you to pay someone to come in and remove the ash or as least knock it down for you. I currently doing this on 2 separate 1 acre areas, im in WI as well if you dont fence or cage each tree you will fight a losing battle against deer both eating and rubbing your new planted trees.

Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Maddog66]

Just last weekend I had my county forester out for a little tour of my land and this exact subject came up. FWIW, my spot is about 5-6 acres of black ash that got beaver-killed before I bought it.

Beaver issues are solved now but it’s still quite wet in there. No go without hip waders.

Anyway, he said if I just leave it alone the tag alders will dominate and maybe some young black ash and tamarack will come back.

Since it’s bordered by white cedar, it will likely seed into the area. Approximately 60 to 100 years after I’m worm food

His suggestions were to plant some native shrubs on the few small dry areas and edges and possibly shear the existing tags first for regeneration.

He didn’t think spending time planting actual trees would be worth it because of how much the water table fluctuates….even without the beavers.

 

[swampbuck]

Just last weekend I had my county forester out for a little tour of my land and this exact subject came up. FWIW, my spot is about 5-6 acres of black ash that got beaver-killed before I bought it.

Beaver issues are solved now but it’s still quite wet in there. No go without hip waders.

Anyway, he said if I just leave it alone the tag alders will dominate and maybe some young black ash and tamarack will come back.

Since it’s bordered by white cedar, it will likely seed into the area. Approximately 60 to 100 years after I’m worm food

His suggestions were to plant some native shrubs on the few small dry areas and edges and possibly shear the existing tags first for regeneration.

He didn’t think spending time planting actual trees would be worth it because of how much the water table fluctuates….even without the beavers.

Interesting. Was the shearing suggested to trigger more tag alder regeneration or other species?

 

[Maddog66]

Yes swamp buck. Tag alder shearing has become real popular the last few years.

I guess the alder regen is good for woodcock and grouse? Other things too?

 

[swampbuck]

 I noticed I have a number of small green ash that are still alive. Should I drop those before th beatles get them?

 

[SwampCat]

I have about 80 acres dying green ash. Scares the heck out of me to ride or walk through there. No way would I get in there. I would have to think long and hard about trailing a deer in there - is it worth your life. Might make it out ok - might not.

 

[swampbuck]

Good point. Have the same feeling walking through an area where we have just a few dead ash. Hopefully get some stump sprouts. I have noticed the deer love those

 

[Natty Bumppo]

 I noticed I have a number of small green ash that are still alive. Should I drop those before th beatles get them?

I'll answer this two ways. Best forestry practice is to only drop them AFTER they shows signs of EAB infestation. The reason being that you never know if a certain tree might have a natural resistance and will survive.

On the other hand, if you wait until they are dead dropping dead ash trees can be hazardous and nerve wracking. The limbs like to shatter and fall. Ash trees are prone to barber chairing.

I go for a happy medium. I carefully monitor all of my ash trees and when I see the first signs of EAB infestation on an otherwise living tree I will drop it that winter. Signs of EAB are obviously the EAB exit holes. But also "blonding"...this is when large swaths or chunks of bark are removed by woodpeckers looking for the beetles leaving a lighter colored wood exposed. Ash trees that are stressed by the EAB will also undergo epicormic branching. Look for an excess of new shoots on the main trunk. That's a tree that is trying stay alive...but is probably doomed. And then of course die back of the crown. If I see 1 or 2 of these on a tree I'll take it down even if it's alive.