May 20, 2026 · 6 min read
Emerald Ash Borer in Southern Indiana: What to Do With a Dead Ash Tree
If you have an ash tree in the Evansville area that's dropping bark, losing its canopy, or sprouting shoots along the trunk, it has almost certainly been killed by the emerald ash borer. This invasive beetle has swept through southern Indiana and killed the vast majority of untreated ash trees — and a dead ash is uniquely dangerous.
What the emerald ash borer did to the Tri-State
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a small metallic-green beetle whose larvae tunnel under ash bark and cut off the tree's ability to move water and nutrients. It reached southern Indiana years ago and has since killed the overwhelming majority of ash trees that weren't being actively treated with insecticide. Across Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, and Gibson counties, the standing dead ash you now see everywhere is the aftermath.
How to tell if your ash is dead or dying
- Bark falling off in patches, exposing pale wood underneath (called "blonding").
- S-shaped tunnels in the wood under the bark, and small D-shaped exit holes.
- Thinning canopy — the top of the tree dies back first.
- Sprouts (epicormic shoots) growing straight out of the trunk and roots.
- Heavy woodpecker activity, as birds strip bark to eat the larvae.
Why a dead ash is more dangerous than other dead trees
Ash wood becomes brittle remarkably fast after the tree dies. Within a season or two, limbs snap and drop without warning, and the whole tree can fail unpredictably. This also makes dead ash more dangerous to climb and remove — which is why removal gets both riskier and more expensive the longer you wait.
A dead ash near your house, driveway, or a spot where people walk should be treated as a priority, not something to deal with "eventually."
Removal vs. treatment
Treatment (trunk-injected insecticide every couple of years) can protect a healthy, high-value ash — but it only works on a tree that's still largely alive. Once a tree has lost more than about half its canopy, treatment is no longer worthwhile and removal is the answer.
If you have a bare, bark-shedding ash, you're past the treatment window. The safe move is removal before the next storm brings it down for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it urgent to remove a dead ash tree?
Yes. Dead ash becomes brittle and unpredictable quickly, dropping heavy limbs and failing without warning. It also gets more dangerous and expensive to remove over time, so dead ash should be a priority removal — especially near structures or walkways.
Can a dead ash tree be saved?
No. Insecticide treatment can protect a still-healthy ash, but once a tree is dead or has lost most of its canopy, it cannot be brought back and should be removed.