Jericho's tree warden found emerald ash borer larvae and pupae right here in town. His words were plain: it is a death sentence for most ash trees across Jericho. If your ash is already thinning at the top, the clock is running.
The real question now is what to put in its place.
Native Replacements That Hold Up in Vermont's Zone 5a winters
Not every tree survives Jericho winters. These do, and they belong here.
Sugar maple is the Vermont state tree for good reason. Strong canopy, spectacular fall color, long life. Give it room and well-drained soil.
Red maple works faster and handles wetter ground. If your ash sat in a low spot near Browns River or a seasonal drain, red maple fits that site better than sugar.
American hophornbeam stays smaller, forty feet at most, and holds its structural integrity through ice storms better than most trees its size. For tighter yards, this one earns its place.
Bur oak is the long game. Slow, yes. But its wound closure through decades of Vermont freeze-thaw cycles is exceptional. Plant it for the next generation.
One Thing Most Homeowners Miss Before Planting
Do not plant into the same hole. Decay pockets in the old root zone affect drainage and give a new tree a poor start. Move a few feet over and give the replacement clean ground.
Also look at the site honestly before you pick a species. Wet ground, part shade, and proximity to the house all change the right answer.
I am Michael Thompson, owner of Iconic Tree Care, and I work on trees across Jericho and nearby towns in Chittenden County. Homeowners who want to understand what removal and replanting involves can find out more before committing to anything.
If you are planting more than one tree, plant a diversity of species. If another pest arrives, it will most likely not affect all of them at once. That is the real lesson the ash borer leaves behind.
The ash you are losing likely stood for decades. Choose its replacement like it will too. See details about Iconic Tree Care and where we work.
Michael Thompson
Owner, Iconic Tree Care
5315 Randolph Rd, Morristown Vermont 05661
802-338-0802
https://iconictreecare.com/
