My Tree Looks Like Ash
By Nicholas Hansen
Certified Arborist License #- PN-9090AU
June 8th, 2021
In mid-February 2021, Texas was hit with historic Winter Storm Uri that brought ice, snow, and bitter cold across the state only days after 80-degree weather had nestled into the region. Due to the hot start to the year, many of the local trees were already in the process of budding, trying to get an early jump on the growing season. Many species, including oak, ash, and elm were hit especially hard by this event and the consequences are in plain sight.
A concernedly large amount of local trees are now mere shells of what they used to be. Where lush green foliage was once present, now a skeleton of branches exists. What has happened to these trees? Essentially, the perfect storm has crippled them. Many trees had already begun the process of sending starches and nutrients from their reserves to the branches to prepare the leaves to open so that they might start gathering sunlight. These conditions were followed by the unprecedented cold which caused these trees a tremendous amount of harm. All the starches and nutrients sent to their branches to create leaves were lost due to the cold freezing them at what could be considered the worst possible time.
The trees of concern are now at two separate stages. If there is any green left on the tree, even in the form of new branches that seemed to have sprouted out of nowhere (epicormic buds), then the tree has begun an emergency response. It is using its reserves to try and generate some foliage so that it may produce food to help replenish its now depleted reserves. If a tree is in this stage, then it is faring better because it has the vigor to produce these new sprouts. If the new sprouts are in the canopy, it is best to let them grow as much as they can so that they may try to recoup their losses. If the sprouts are coming only from the base of the tree, then it is likely that everything above the ground on that particular tree has taken a severe blow from mother nature. Most experts are recommending not to trim the trees in either case at this point, it is best to just wait and see how each tree responds. If there is no green foliage by July on these trees, then it is likely that they have died above ground.
Just because a tree is dead above ground does not mean that it requires removal at this point. To anyone who is worried that a tree on their property might be dead and therefore a major threat, know that in most cases it takes several years if not longer to become unstable. With that said, if a dead/dying tree poses an unacceptable risk, contacting a local ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate it might be the best course of action. If the tree has green foliage on it by July, then it has a fighting chance. The root system in these trees is already established and therefore gives them a better chance at re-establishing when compared to starting completely over by planting a new tree. It is possible that many trees that appear dead this year will rebound and come back next year.
If the tree is not a major threat or risk, the best thing to do right now is to wait and see. Things that can be done to help an ailing tree:
Give the soil a deep soak with water every two weeks.
Add a mulch layer on top of the soil around the tree to help maintain moisture. Take care not to bury the trunk of the tree with mulch as this will cause harm.
Do NOT apply fertilizer! Fertilizer promotes extra growth and right now the trees do not have adequate reserves. Fertilizer will greatly increase the chance of the tree not pulling through.
Ash trees are in a particularly tough spot with the aftermath of this storm due to an invasive pest called Emerald Ash Borer. Emerald ash borer is an insect from Asia that the USDA has called, “...the most destructive invasive forest insect ever to have invaded North America. It has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees and threatens the entire ash resource.” As of 2020, only five counties in Texas have confirmed populations of emerald ash borer; Cass, Marion, Tarrant, Denton, and Bowie Counties. It is recommended that if an ash tree of any variety is within 30 miles of a confirmed population of emerald ash borer, preventative measures should be taken. Luckily a pesticide called emamectin benzoate (TREEäge Arborjet tree-IV or quickjet) has shown to be incredibly effective as a preventive measure to this pest.
Most counties in Texas have not yet had the displeasure of witnessing their ash trees fall to the overwhelming stress caused by the emerald ash borers. They are capable of killing even the healthiest of ash trees, but with many of the local trees having been crippled by this winter storm, that will unfortunately not be the case for long. The emerald ash borer is a devastating pest that will spread farther and faster than previously predicted due to this storm. It will be a nuisance for years to come, aided by the help of weakened defense systems in trees across the state.
There is hope for most ash trees, but they will likely need help in regaining their strength and vigor. They will need additional attention and waterings, and in all likelihood will need a chemical-assisted defense against a very aggressive pest in the near future.
Each tree has its own unique qualities. It is up to each owner to decide for themselves what value a tree has and whether the cost of trying to retain that value is worth it. Many trees that seem doomed today could pull through, just as many trees that appear to have survived may not make it after all. Only time will tell.