Ash Tree Replacements

Hey bugs - I wanted to look at the pubs, but both of your links were non-functional for me. Can you give the number of the pub so I can look it up at pubs distribution? Thanks!
 
I have a Patriot Elm hybrid. 20' tall at 5 years and strongly resembles an American Elm. Awesome tree, but less fall color that a typical native elm.

Also consider Bald Cypress (yeah, really), River Birch, Black Tupelo or Japanese Zelkova. Another native oak would be a great choice. Maples are waaay overplanted, IMHO.

Best Tree Finder: Tree Wizard
 
If you like leaves the size of your head, I have a giant sycamore tree that looks really cool in the summer.
 
If you like leaves the size of your head, I have a giant sycamore tree that looks really cool in the summer.
The messiest tree in the history of the world, but in my opinion also the most beautiful when full grown (along with the bur oak).
 
I have a Patriot Elm hybrid. 20' tall at 5 years and strongly resembles an American Elm. Awesome tree, but less fall color that a typical native elm.

Also consider Bald Cypress (yeah, really), River Birch, Black Tupelo or Japanese Zelkova. Another native oak would be a great choice. Maples are waaay overplanted, IMHO.

Best Tree Finder: Tree Wizard

The Japanese Zelkova looks like a really nice tree. Have to look at a few Bald Cypress's live before heading down that road.

Now do I just cut my nice ash tree down and replant or do I plant next to my ash and cut the ash down when the bugs finally arrive?

Thanks all. Lot of good information.
 
...Now do I just cut my nice ash tree down and replant or do I plant next to my ash and cut the ash down when the bugs finally arrive?

Depends. We've been telling people to enjoy their ash tree if it's healthy. But, you're close to a known infestation so it may be worth your time to start diversifying now. If you've got the space to plant a new tree and still hang on to your ash until the end is nigh, it's probably a good plan.

This is my big ash. It is the foundation of half our yard and provides the shade for a pretty nice shade garden in the summer. I'm gonna miss the old gal when it's her time to go.
Big Ash.jpg
 
Nothing better than a nice *****...willow. You can stick one in the front or back yard depending on your preference.
 
Diversity of trees should be goal of any one planting trees. Too many of any one type is not a good thing. A couple of my favorites are these: redbud (how can any good Iowa Stater not want to have several redbuds around their house); birch trees (true year round color with their white bark and golden yellow leaves in the Fall); any oak tree (red, pin, or burr - you are planting this one for the next owner of your house); sugar maples (slow growing but generally great Fall colors).
 
Good info bugs. ISU hort grad here that currently works in the landscaping industry. I'm doing everything I can to diversify local tree planting. Everyone wants Autumn Blaze Maples, but bugs is completely correct when saying we are just setting ourselves up for more of the same. There have been some great recommendations in this thread. If you are looking for a deciduous yard tree I would personally go for a male cultivar ginkgo, male cultivar kentucky coffeetree, or an oak. Other good options are black tupelo (if you can find them), or the much talked about Dutch Elm resistant Elm trees. There are several out there, the ones that have been found to be the best are: Accolade, Pioneer, Valley Forge, and Fronteir. Thornless honeylocusts are ok, but remind me too much of a parking lot. Lindens get absolutely destroyed by japanese beetles.

I forgot I was going to touch on Japanese Zelkova as well. As far as I know they are only moderately hardy in Iowa and considered a zone 5b - 6a tree. I only know of one in the area and that is planted in a very protected area in Lagomarcino courtyard on campus. Don't think that would grow well for you in Waterloo.
 
Last edited:
Bored?

Check out the Iowa DNR Urban Forestry site, where they have links to the 200+ urban tree inventories done so far in Iowa communities with <5,000 residents. Here you can see the species makeup of the public trees. In short = too many maples.

Community Tree Inventories
 
I have a Patriot Elm hybrid. 20' tall at 5 years and strongly resembles an American Elm. Awesome tree, but less fall color that a typical native elm.

Also consider Bald Cypress (yeah, really), River Birch, Black Tupelo or Japanese Zelkova. Another native oak would be a great choice. Maples are waaay overplanted, IMHO.

Best Tree Finder: Tree Wizard
Japanese beatles love river birch.
 
Depends. We've been telling people to enjoy their ash tree if it's healthy. But, you're close to a known infestation so it may be worth your time to start diversifying now. If you've got the space to plant a new tree and still hang on to your ash until the end is nigh, it's probably a good plan.

This is my big ash. It is the foundation of half our yard and provides the shade for a pretty nice shade garden in the summer. I'm gonna miss the old gal when it's her time to go.
View attachment 24973

Yeah I'll probably leave mine and plant the new one just a bit away from it. My tree is smaller than yours and pretty sure I can cut down myself(I spent a lot of time in my youth working with chain saws around trees.)
 
I have a Linden and the Japanese beetles eat all the leaves off of it every year unless I spray it with insecticide. I'm not sure if they like all varieties of Linden, but I would not plant one unless you know for sure that it's a variety that doesn't attract them.


Absolutely. Japanese beetles have defoliated my Lindens and ruin beautiful trees. The leaves come back next year, but I'd stay away from Lindens.
 
bump.

What's the latest on this? I have a beautiful Ash in my front yard that I'm gonna hate to lose. Is there a recommended pesticide? Is there anyone I can contact besides ISU? Is there a discount for removal services in Polk County?
 

Help Support Us

Become a patron