Best Ash Tree Alternatives for Your Landscape

Fine-textured and easy-to-grow Ash trees (Fraxinus) were one of the most popular street and landscaping trees in the US for many years! With airy greenish blooms and winged seed pods, their pointed foliage cast shade over many a garden until recently.

Fraxinus americana, also known as the White Ash/American Ash tree, is a species of native deciduous tree to Eastern and Central North America. They readily colonize riparian zones, and stabilize stream banks, and provide shade and nesting sites for wildlife.

So why is it that Ash Trees became so popular to plant anyway? And why would you want to replace yours with something else?

The Small Green Problem With Ash Trees
What to Plant Instead of Ash Trees
Bring on the Biodiversity!

Green, Black, and White Ash are native to a large portion of the US and Canada. Many nurseries have some incredible selections from the native species that are seedless, have great fall color, and have beautiful upright and rounded forms!

Municipalities, homeowners, and landscape architects began noticing the beautiful seedless selections that were coming on the market. They began being used on almost all the projects not only because of their varied forms and fall color, but because of their adaptability to different soil types, and hardiness.

If you have ever seen an Autumn Blaze Ash in full fall display, you know just how unbelievably and intensely gorgeous they can be!

The Small Green Problem With Ash Trees

So why would anyone want to replace or find an alternative to the amazing Ash Tree?

Too much of a good thing maybe? You would think we would have learned from our past mistakes by lining so many streets and urban plantings of American Elm only to see the demise of such a stately tree from Dutch Elm Disease that has wiped out so many trees. Thus, plant hybridizers and nurseries have developed so many different new Elm selections that are Dutch Elm Disease resistant and we are now able to grow many different cultivars once again.

The same thing has now happened with the way we were using (or we should say overusing) Ash trees in our landscapes. Because of its widespread distribution, the Ash Tree has now also begun to face its own struggles - the Emerald Ash Borer.

Who would have guessed that we would import a bug that bores into the trunks of all the different kinds of Ash trees and eventually kills them?

What no one really expected is that borers typically only affect trees that are stressed or not healthy, but the difference with this bug is that it wildly attacks every single healthy Ash in its path.

At first, the movement was slow, but eventually, we figured out the movement of infected Ash tree firewood was being transported to many campgrounds, cabins, summer homes, and heavily wooded areas. Areas that contained native Ash trees!

Many years later, we have yet to introduce a resistant Ash Tree to the market. The bug continues to spread slowly and in all directions taking out all Ash in its path.

So to help stop the spread of the Borers and still enjoy your landscape, try one of these amazing alternatives!

What to Plant Instead of Ash Trees

If you live in an area where the Emerald Ash Tree Borer is prevalent, you will no doubt be looking for an alternative! Those areas now include most of the East Coast, New England, and as far West as Texas to Nebraska, affecting 30 states and killing tens of millions of native and non-native Ash trees in their wake.

Check out these alternatives that also have great shade, fast growth, and incredible blooms!

1. Birch Trees

The fine-textured foliage of the Birch Tree and its many cultivars also have gorgeous bark and fall color that creates a picturesque look to your landscape. Try a native River Birch or Paper Birch, or have some fun by planting a variegated Shiloh Splash River Birch or Royal Frost® Birch that is sure to have the neighbors green with envy! All Birch will perform best where the roots are not baked by the sun, but shaded by a north-facing site, where the roots are in the shade of another tree or house, or covered in a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist mulch that is spread out past the dripline.

Unique Colored & Peeling Bark
Fine-Textured Foliage
Great Fall Color
Wildlife & Bird-Friendly
Cold-Hardy USDA Zones 2 Through 9

2. Linden Trees (Basswood)

The lovely heart-shaped leaves and light green, winged seed pods of the Linden Tree create such a lovely display! Very pollinator-friendly, these trees have strong pyramidal-shaped canopies at maturity. Try a native American Linden Tree, or the smaller Littleleaf Linden to adorn your yard and enjoy the sweet-smelling flowers!

Magnificent Pyramidal Canopy
Tight, Upright Pyramidal Growth
Winged Light Green Flowers/Seed Pods
Heart-Shaped Leaves
Cold, Heat & Urban Environment Tolerant

3. Sweetgum Tree

The Sweetgum (Liquidambar) is a unique and underutilized native tree that features spring flower clusters that become persistent spiky seed balls that birds love! But standing back one will notice that the narrow Burgundy is a very balanced pyramidal tree that tapers down from a central leader. When space is limited, this modern variety is the right choice! The Burgundy Sweetgum features vibrant burgundy and purple fall color that rounds out the season beautifully!

Unique Star-Shaped Leaves
Columnar Shade Tree Fits In Small Landscapes
Brilliant Burgundy/Purple Fall Foliage!
Mature Height 40 - 60 feet
Mature Spread 20 - 30 feet

4. Hackberry Tree

Another big native tree with great shade is the Hackberry Tree. Named for its fall fruit that can be very bitter (but foragers use them as a chocolate substitute!), the mighty tree features strong growth and an upright form. The textured bark on mature trees adds winter interest too!

Large Pointed Foliage
Strong Trunk & Branches
Hardy Deciduous Tough Native
Long-Lived Shade, Street & Specimen Tree
Seeds for Birds
Resists Windy Sites & Urban/Drought-Tolerant

5. Elm Trees

After the lesson with Dutch Elm disease, hybridizers have worked diligently to create hybrid Elms or selections of American Elm that are resistant to the disease. These include the Princeton Elm Tree, Accolade Elm, the Triumph Elm Tree, New Harmony Elm, and the St. Croix™ American Elm. The fine-textured leaves and wide adaptability, make Elms a natural choice for an Ash Tree alternative.

Wonderful Shade & Fine-Textured Leaves
Graceful Form
Many Elm Disease-Resistant Varieties to Choose From
Shade, Specimen & Street Tree

Honorable Mention

Honeylocust Trees have come a long way with a wider variety of options, sizes, and colors to choose from! The fragrant blooms, strong open canopies, and fine-textured leaves create light shade that won’t shade out your lawn and the small leaves take care of themselves in the fall! Try a Shademaster Honeylocust or other Thornless and seedless Honeylocust Tree for a great alternative!

Should I treat the Ash Tree I have in my yard?

Treatment is available and if you have a significant specimen in your yard, you may want to consider having it treated by an Arborist or Tree Service. What many are finding out in areas that are infected, they are spending their money on replacing those Ash trees instead of treatment.

Your local County Extension Office will be an amazing resource for you to learn about options in your area, and be able to tell you if Emerald Ash Borer is a rising issue. County Extension Offices can also let you know tips and tricks to help prevent the spread!

Bring on the Biodiversity!

Biodiversity is the key when it comes to all urban landscapes. A healthy urban forest includes many different kinds (many different Genus) smartly planted without a monoculture of any one kind of tree. Planting many kinds of trees alternating with different Genus is the key!

Nature Hills employs Plant Sentry™ to ensure we adhere to all State and Federal Agricultural Laws and not ship this Tree into areas where it will be any kind of an issue!

Check out all the great shade trees available at Nature Hills and accent your landscape without worry!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ash trees still be planted in yards today, or should homeowners avoid them?

Due to the devastating spread of the Emerald Ash Borer across most of the United States and Canada, planting new ash trees today is generally not recommended for homeowners. Unlike most borers that target only stressed or weakened trees, the Emerald Ash Borer attacks and kills healthy ash trees as well, making even well-maintained specimens vulnerable. If you currently have an ash tree on your property, consult a certified arborist about treatment options, but for new plantings, choose one of the many excellent alternative shade trees now available that offer similar form, fall color, and adaptability without the risk.

Are ash trees worth keeping if they are already established in your yard?

Established ash trees are under serious threat from the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest that attacks all ash species regardless of tree health, making long-term survival unlikely without ongoing intervention. Preventative insecticide treatments can protect individual trees, but they require reapplication every one to two years and represent a significant ongoing cost. If your ash tree is still healthy and has sentimental or shade value, consult a certified arborist to assess whether treatment makes financial sense for your situation, but also begin planning for a replacement tree now so you are not left without shade coverage when the time comes.

Why do ash trees tend to grow with such a straight and upright form?

Ash trees (Fraxinus) naturally develop a strong central leader with opposite branching, which gives them their characteristic upright, symmetrical form. This growth habit is largely driven by genetics and the tree's vigorous apical dominance, where the topmost bud suppresses lateral growth and keeps the tree reaching skyward. If you want to preserve or enhance this natural form, avoid heavy pruning of the central leader and instead focus on removing any competing upright branches during dormancy in late winter.

Do ash trees lose their leaves in fall, and what should you expect from replacement trees?

Ash trees are deciduous and drop their leaves each fall, often displaying attractive fall color before doing so, with standout cultivars like Autumn Blaze Ash producing an exceptionally intense seasonal display. If you are replacing an ash tree due to Emerald Ash Borer pressure, plan for a similarly sized deciduous shade tree that offers strong fall color, good adaptability to your soil type, and proven hardiness for your zone. Nature Hills recommends exploring disease-resistant elm cultivars or other native shade trees that can fill the same ecological role without the vulnerability to a single pest. Choose a replacement species suited to your specific region and site conditions to avoid repeating the mistake of over-relying on one tree type across the landscape.

How do you protect trees from the red-headed ash borer beetle and similar pests?

The red-headed ash borer and similar wood-boring beetles are best managed through a combination of good cultural practices and targeted treatments. Keeping trees healthy through proper watering, mulching within the drip line, and appropriate fertilization is your first line of defense, since stressed trees are far more vulnerable to borer damage. For active infestations or high-risk trees, systemic insecticides containing imidacloprid can be applied as a soil drench in spring before adult beetles emerge, typically April through May depending on your region. Contact your local cooperative extension service for region-specific timing and product recommendations, and inspect your trees annually for entry holes, sawdust-like frass, or dieback so you can act quickly if pests are detected.

Which trees grow fastest to fill the gap left by a removed ash tree?

For fast-growing shade replacements, consider the Autumn Blaze Maple, which can put on 3 to 5 feet of growth per year and develops a strong rounded canopy similar in scale to a mature ash. River Birch is another excellent quick-growing option, particularly well-suited to moist sites where ash trees commonly grow, thriving in zones 4 through 9. Tulip Poplar is one of the fastest-growing native trees available, capable of gaining 4 to 6 feet annually in ideal conditions across zones 4 through 9. Visit Nature Hills to select a container-grown specimen in the largest size available for your budget, as a more established tree will close the canopy gap significantly faster than a bare-root sapling.

What trees grow best in wet or low-lying areas as alternatives to ash?

For wet or low-lying areas where ash trees once thrived, River Birch, Bald Cypress, and Swamp White Oak are excellent choices that tolerate consistently moist or periodically flooded soils. River Birch grows vigorously in zones 4-9, reaching 40-70 feet tall, and offers beautiful exfoliating bark and good resistance to pests. Bald Cypress adapts well to standing water and performs across zones 4-10, eventually maturing to 50-70 feet with stunning fall color. Visit naturehills.com to browse these moisture-tolerant alternatives and find the right fit for your specific growing conditions and region.

Which native trees make the best replacements for a removed ash tree?

Several native trees make excellent ash replacements depending on your region and site conditions. Native oaks, maples, and elms offer similar adaptability, shade canopy, and wildlife value, while disease-resistant American Elm cultivars have been specifically developed to fill the gap left by losses to Dutch Elm Disease. For wet or riparian sites where ash trees thrived, consider native options like river birch or sweetgum, which offer strong fall color and similar soil tolerance. Visit naturehills.com to browse regionally appropriate native alternatives and filter by your hardiness zone to find the best fit for your landscape.

Which ash tree alternatives work best in small yards or narrow spaces?

For small yards and narrow spaces, columnar or fastigiate tree forms are your best bet as ash tree replacements. Princeton Sentry Ginkgo grows in a tight upright form reaching 40 to 50 feet tall but only 5 to 8 feet wide, thriving in zones 3 to 8, while Sky Tower Red Oak offers a similarly refined upright silhouette with outstanding fall color. For truly tight spaces under 20 feet wide, consider a columnar European Hornbeam or a compact ornamental tree like Japanese Tree Lilac, which tops out around 20 to 25 feet. Browse Nature Hills' selection filtered by mature width to find the right fit for your space before you plant.

How soon can you expect shade from a tree planted to replace an ash tree?

The timeline for shade depends heavily on which replacement tree you choose and your growing conditions. Fast-growing options like Autumn Blaze Maple or hybrid Elms can establish a meaningful canopy within 5 to 7 years, while slower-growing trees may take 10 to 15 years to provide comparable coverage to a mature Ash. To get shade sooner, choose a tree known for vigorous growth, plant in spring or early fall for best root establishment, and water consistently through the first two to three growing seasons to encourage rapid canopy development.

What to Plant Instead of an Ash Tree