How to identify an ash tree, recognize common EAB signs and decide between ongoing treatment and timely removal.

Concerned about a private ash tree in Madison or Dane County? Call Vanderbilt Tree Service at 608-351-1134 for an assessment and free written estimate for recommended tree work.

What is emerald ash borer?

Emerald ash borer, or Agrilus planipennis, is a small metallic-green beetle that attacks true ash trees in the Fraxinus genus. Wisconsin first confirmed EAB in 2008, and the pest has since been detected in all 72 counties. The adult beetle is small; most homeowners notice tree damage rather than the insect itself.

First confirm that the tree is an ash

Ash trees can be confused with boxelder, walnut and hickory. Look for several traits together rather than relying on one leaf:

• Branches and buds usually grow opposite each other on the twig.
• Leaves are compound, commonly with 5–11 leaflets along a central stalk.
• Mature bark often develops interlacing, diamond-shaped ridges.
• Seeds, when present, are paddle-shaped samaras that hang in clusters.

Signs of emerald ash borer infestation

• Thinning or dieback in the upper canopy, often progressing downward.
• Small D-shaped adult exit holes in the bark, about 1/8 inch wide.
• S-shaped larval galleries visible beneath loose or split bark.
• Heavy woodpecker activity or pale “flecked” patches where bark has been removed.
• Vertical bark splits over feeding galleries.
• Dense shoots or sprouts growing from the trunk or tree base.

EAB symptoms can be difficult to spot early. By the time canopy decline is obvious, the infestation may have been present for years. Avoid peeling bark or climbing a weakened tree to search for holes.

Can an ash tree be saved?

Some ash trees can be protected, but successful treatment is an ongoing commitment. The decision depends on tree health, canopy condition, structural value, location, treatment cost and the cost and risk of eventual removal.

How professional EAB treatment works

Insecticides can protect an ash by killing larvae or adults that feed on the tree. The City of Madison injects selected public ash trees with emamectin benzoate on a multi-year cycle. Product, dose, timing and retreatment interval belong in a professional plan; treatment does not restore dead branches or correct structural defects.

• Treatment is preventive or protective, not a one-time cure for a severely declined tree.
• A healthy canopy and sound structure make a tree a stronger candidate.
• Professional trunk injection limits off-target exposure compared with indiscriminate spraying.
• The owner should compare the lifetime treatment commitment with removal and replacement.

When ash tree removal is the safer choice

Removal is appropriate when the tree is dead, has substantial canopy loss, is shedding limbs, is structurally unsound or cannot reasonably be maintained with ongoing treatment. Dead ash can become brittle and unpredictable, especially near homes, driveways, sidewalks and play areas. Do not attempt to climb or dismantle an EAB-killed ash yourself.

Vanderbilt Tree Service can assess the work area, safely remove hazardous ash trees, complete cleanup and quote stump grinding when removal is the selected plan.

Private ash tree or City of Madison terrace tree?

The responsibility depends on where the tree stands. The City of Madison manages trees in the terrace or public right-of-way and says it treats approximately 10,000 selected ash trees on a multi-year cycle. If the tree is between the sidewalk and street, contact Urban Forestry rather than arranging private work. Owners of private-property ash trees should consult a certified arborist and decide whether to treat or remove.

What should happen to EAB-infested wood?

Use wood locally and follow current Wisconsin firewood rules. EAB larvae live beneath bark and can survive in dead wood for up to two years. Wisconsin DNR recommends buying and using local firewood and notes that firewood brought onto state property is subject to distance and pest-quarantine rules. Do not transport suspect wood simply to get it off the property.

What to do if you suspect EAB

1. Keep people away if the tree is dead, dropping limbs or leaning toward a target.
2. Confirm that it is an ash using opposite branching, compound leaves and mature bark traits.
3. Photograph the canopy, trunk, exit holes, bark splits and any woodpecker activity from the ground.
4. Determine whether the tree is private or a City-managed terrace tree.
5. Arrange an arborist assessment to compare treatment with removal before decline becomes advanced.

Emerald ash borer FAQs

What should I do if I find emerald ash borer signs?

Confirm the tree is an ash, photograph signs from the ground and arrange an arborist assessment. If the tree is a City of Madison terrace tree, contact Urban Forestry. Keep people away if dead limbs or a new lean create an immediate hazard.

Can an ash tree recover from emerald ash borer?

An untreated infested ash will not recover on its own. A healthy or lightly affected tree may be protected with repeated professional insecticide treatment, but dead branches and structural damage do not regrow.

What is the most effective treatment for emerald ash borer?

Professional systemic insecticides, including trunk-injected products used on an appropriate schedule, can protect suitable ash trees. The best product and interval depend on tree size, health, site and label requirements.

Is emerald ash borer treatment worth it?

It may be worth treating a healthy, structurally sound, valuable and well-placed ash. Compare recurring treatment costs with removal, replacement and the shade or property benefits the tree provides.

Can you burn wood infested with emerald ash borer?

It can be used locally when it is safe and lawful to burn, but do not move it long distances. EAB larvae may survive beneath bark in dead wood for up to two years, and other Wisconsin firewood restrictions can still apply.

How long can an ash tree live with EAB?

Decline varies, but once signs become obvious the tree may already have been infested for years. Untreated ash eventually dies, and advanced decline makes the wood increasingly brittle.

Does homeowners insurance cover an EAB tree?

Policies vary. Insurance generally focuses on sudden covered damage rather than preventive removal of a diseased or infested tree. Ask your insurer about your policy before assuming that treatment or removal is covered.

Get help with an ash tree in Madison

Call 608-351-1134 for a free written estimate. Vanderbilt Tree Service serves Madison and Dane County with certified-arborist-led tree assessment, removal, pruning, stump grinding and 24/7 emergency response.

Sources and further reading

• Wisconsin DNR — Emerald Ash Borer — State status, management and firewood guidance.
• UW–Madison — Emerald Ash Borer in Wisconsin — Identification and homeowner resources.
• UW–Madison — Considerations for Homeowners — Treat, remove or do-nothing decision framework.
• City of Madison — Emerald Ash Borer — Public-tree treatment program and private-tree guidance.

How to recognize possible oak wilt, reduce the chance of spread and choose the right next step for an oak in Madison or Dane County.

If an oak or large limb is an immediate hazard, call Vanderbilt Tree Service 24/7 at 608-351-1134. For a non-urgent suspected disease, avoid pruning or wounding the tree and arrange an arborist assessment.

What is oak wilt?

Oak wilt is a vascular disease: the fungus and the tree’s response interfere with the movement of water through the tree. The result is rapid wilting, leaf drop and, in susceptible oaks, death. Wisconsin DNR reports that the disease is widespread in southern Wisconsin, making prevention and early, accurate diagnosis especially important around Madison.

Red oak vs. white oak: which trees are most at risk?

Oak wilt symptoms to watch for

Symptoms most often appear during summer, commonly July and August, but Wisconsin DNR notes they may be observed from June through September.

• Leaves wilt and drop from the upper canopy first, then symptoms move downward.
• Leaf edges or tips turn dull green, bronze, tan or brown while part of the leaf may remain green.
• Leaves may curl, droop and fall in summer rather than during normal autumn leaf drop.
• One branch may decline first, followed by rapid canopy thinning.
• Nearby oaks may begin declining in an expanding cluster, suggesting underground root-graft spread.

How oak wilt spreads

1. Overland spread to fresh wounds

Sap-feeding beetles can carry spores from fungal mats on recently killed oaks to a fresh pruning cut, storm wound or damaged stump. That is why the timing of pruning and immediate treatment of unavoidable wounds matter.

2. Underground spread through root grafts

Roots of nearby oaks can naturally connect. Once oak wilt is present, the fungus can move through those grafts and create an expanding pocket of affected trees. Cutting down one tree without first planning for root-graft management may fail to contain the disease.

When should you avoid pruning oaks in Wisconsin?

For southern Wisconsin, Wisconsin DNR forestry guidance identifies April 1 through July 15 as the restricted harvesting period because of higher transmission risk. For residential trees, the DNR describes the greatest overland risk as April through July, while UW–Madison Extension recommends pruning during the dormant season when beetle vectors are inactive. Local ordinances or public-tree rules may be more restrictive.

What if a storm damages an oak during the risk period?

Safety comes first. If a broken oak limb threatens people, a building, a road or utilities, keep clear and call the appropriate emergency contact. Wisconsin DNR says that when an oak must be cut between April and July, tree wound sealer should be applied immediately after the cut. UW–Madison Extension notes that sap beetles can reach a wound very quickly, so this is one of the uncommon situations in which immediate wound paint is recommended.

How to confirm oak wilt

1. Stop non-essential pruning, climbing-spike use and other wounding until the tree is assessed.
2. Photograph the whole canopy, symptomatic leaves, trunk and nearby oaks. Note when symptoms started.
3. Contact an arborist or urban forestry consultant familiar with oak wilt.
4. For confirmation, submit the correct sample to the UW–Madison Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic and follow its current sampling instructions.
5. Do not begin removal or trenching until the management sequence has been planned for the site.

Can an oak with oak wilt be saved?

It depends on species, disease stage and whether infection is confirmed. Infected red-group oaks usually decline too quickly for curative treatment. White-group oaks may survive longer. Propiconazole may be used preventively or as part of a professional management plan, but UW–Madison notes that it works best before infection. Fungicide does not replace root-graft management, sanitation or removal of hazardous dead trees.

Oak wilt management may involve several steps

• Confirm the diagnosis before committing to expensive site work.
• Map nearby oaks and evaluate possible root connections.
• Disrupt root grafts with properly placed trenching or other specialist methods when appropriate.
• Remove hazardous, dead or designated trees in the sequence recommended by the management plan.
• Handle diseased wood so beetles cannot reach spore-producing material; follow current DNR guidance for storage, covering and use.
• Monitor remaining oaks for new symptoms and consider preventive treatment only with qualified professional guidance.

How Vanderbilt Tree Service can help

Vanderbilt Tree Service provides certified-arborist-led tree assessment, tree removal, pruning, stump grinding and 24/7 emergency response in Madison and Dane County. If laboratory confirmation or specialty disease treatment is needed, we can help you understand when that step belongs in the plan; when removal is indicated, we can provide a free written estimate for the tree work.

Oak wilt FAQs

Can a tree recover from oak wilt?

Red-group oaks rarely recover after infection and may die within weeks. White-group oaks can decline more slowly and sometimes survive for years. A correct diagnosis and species identification are essential before choosing treatment or removal.

Should you cut down a tree with oak wilt?

Often, but not as the first unplanned step. Nearby oaks may share root grafts, so root-spread control and the order of work should be determined before removal. Remove an immediate hazard promptly under professional direction.

What are the oak wilt restrictions in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin DNR forestry guidance lists April 1–July 15 for the South Zone and April 15–July 15 for the North Zone as restricted harvesting periods. Residential best practice is to prune in the dormant season and check municipal rules, especially for public trees.

Can you stop oak wilt from spreading?

Management can reduce spread, but it may require correctly placed root-graft disruption, removal or treatment of selected trees, sanitation and monitoring. A site-specific plan is more reliable than removing one symptomatic tree in isolation.

Is there a spray for oak wilt?

There is no simple homeowner spray that cures an infected red oak. Professional propiconazole injections can be used in some preventive or management situations, especially before infection, but they do not replace diagnosis and root-graft control.

How fast does oak wilt kill a tree?

A red-group oak can lose most of its leaves and die within weeks to about one month after symptoms appear. White-group oaks usually decline more slowly and may survive for several years.

Is oak wilt dangerous to people or pets?

Oak wilt is a tree disease, not a human or pet infection. The safety concern is structural: rapidly declining trees and dead limbs can fail, so keep people away from hazardous trees and arrange an assessment.

Sources and further reading

• Wisconsin DNR — Oak Wilt — Biology, symptoms, prevention, zones and management.
• UW–Madison Extension — Oak Wilt — Species risk, diagnosis, spread and treatment context.
• UW Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic — Current sample-submission instructions.
• City of Madison — Reporting Tree Concerns — Public trees, emergencies and utility contacts.

Most tree removals in the Madison area cost between $400 and $1,200, with the average homeowner paying around $700–$850 for a typical medium-sized tree. Small trees can start near $150, while large or complicated removals — think a tall oak leaning over your roof — can run $3,500 or more. This guide breaks down exactly what drives the price in Dane County, so you know what to expect before you call. When you’re ready for a real number, Vanderbilt Tree Service gives free written estimates: call (608) 351-1134.

Tree Removal Cost by Size

Size is the single biggest factor — a taller tree with a thicker trunk takes more time, equipment, and skill to bring down safely. Here’s what local homeowners typically pay:

These are ballpark ranges for straightforward jobs. A tree that’s leaning over a house, tangled in power lines, or dead and brittle will sit at the higher end — and occasionally above it — because the work is slower and riskier.

What Changes Your Price

Two trees of the same height can cost very different amounts. Here’s what moves the number up or down:

• Height & trunk diameter — the biggest driver; thick, tall trees take more time and gear.
• Species — dense hardwoods like oak and elm are heavier and slower to cut than softer, faster species; multi-stem trees add complexity.
• Location & access — a tree in the open is cheap to fell; one wedged between a house, garage, fence, and power lines must be dismantled piece by piece with rigging.
• Health & condition — dead, storm-damaged, or unstable trees are more dangerous and cost more to remove safely.
• Equipment access — whether a truck or lift can reach the tree, or everything has to be carried in and out by hand.
• Stump grinding — removing the stump is a separate add-on (see below).

Common Add-Ons & Related Costs

• Stump grinding: $75 – $400 (roughly $2 – $4 per inch of stump diameter). Grinding the stump below grade lets you replant, sod, or pave over the spot.
• Debris hauling: included in Vanderbilt’s pricing — no surprise $50 – $200 cleanup fee.
• Emergency / storm removal: typically 50 – 100% more than standard rates for after-hours, high-risk work on fallen or hazardous trees.
• Log & firewood: we’ll haul it all away, or cut and leave the wood for you at no extra charge if you’d like it.

Why Tree Removal Costs More in Some Seasons

Demand in Madison peaks in spring and summer, when storms are frequent and everyone wants their yard cleared — so that’s when schedules fill and prices firm up. Late fall and winter are usually the most affordable time: demand drops after storm season, bare dormant trees are quicker to cut, and frozen ground protects your lawn from equipment. If your removal isn’t urgent, booking in the off-season often means a lower price and faster scheduling.

How to Lower Your Tree Removal Cost

• Bundle several trees into one visit — you save on setup and travel.
• Schedule in the off-season (late fall through winter) when rates are lower.
• Let the crew leave the wood chips or firewood instead of hauling everything.
• Handle it before it becomes an emergency — planned removals cost far less than after-hours storm calls.
• Always get a free written estimate first, so you know the exact price up front.

Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Madison?

For a tree on your own private property, you generally don’t need a city permit. Trees in the terrace (the strip between the sidewalk and the street) and other public trees are managed by the City of Madison Forestry Section, and work on them requires coordination with the city. Some subdivisions and HOAs also have their own rules. Vanderbilt Tree Service will help you figure out what applies before any work begins.