Why Dead Ash Trees in Green Bay Are a Summer Safety Hazard (And What to Do Next)
If you’ve taken a walk around your neighborhood in Green Bay or De Pere lately, you’ve likely noticed a heartbreaking trend: canopy tops coming up empty, bark peeling away, and trees that look completely dead while the rest of the block is lush and green.
The culprit? The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
While EAB has been moving through Wisconsin for years, we are currently in a heavy "die-off" cycle where thousands of infected residential ash trees are completely giving out. If you have an unprotected ash tree on your property that didn't leaf out this spring, it’s no longer just an eyesore—it’s an active safety hazard.
Here is why you shouldn't wait until winter to address dead ash trees on your property:
⚡ 1. Ash Wood Becomes Incredibly Brittle, Extremely Fast
Unlike other hardwoods that can stand dead for years without structural failure, ash wood reacts differently. Once EAB cuts off the tree's nutrient supply, the wood rapidly dries out and becomes dangerously brittle. Large limbs can snap off with zero warning, even on perfectly calm, windless summer days.
🏠 2. Severe Summer Storm Liability
Midwestern summers are famous for sudden, violent thunderstorms and high winds. A brittle, dead 50-foot canopy hanging over your roofline, your driveway, or your neighbor’s fence line is a ticking time bomb. Taking care of structural hazards now prevents a catastrophic middle-of-the-night emergency later.
📉 3. Waiting Increases Your Removal Costs
Because dead ash trees deteriorate so quickly, they become highly unstable and dangerous for crews to climb or rig safely. If a tree is left standing until it is completely rotted out at the base, it requires highly specialized equipment to remove safely, which drives up the cost of the job. Removing it while the trunk is still structurally sound saves you money.
🔍 How to Spot an EAB-Infested Tree in Your Yard:
Thinning Canopy: The very top branches are completely bare or have tiny, pale leaves.
Trunk Sprouting: New, bushy green growth popping out directly from the base of the trunk as the tree tries to survive.
Woodpecker Damage ("Flecking"): Strips of outer bark stripped away where woodpeckers have been digging out larvae.
D-Shaped Holes: Tiny, distinct 1/8-inch holes where adult beetles have chewed their way out of the bark.
🛠️ Protect Your Property Today
Whether you have a tree that needs a structural trim to clear your roofline, or an ash tree that is completely dead and needs a safe, professional extraction, Mauricio’s Tree & Lawn Service LLC is here to help.
We are fully licensed and insured right here in Wisconsin, offering clean, precise, and fully equipped tree care to protect your home and loved ones. Contact us to get a free estimate on your tree!