An ash tree that looked healthy last year can decline fast once emerald ash borer moves in.
This invasive beetle has worked its way through much of Virginia over the past several years, and ash trees across Roanoke, Bonsack, and Daleville are still at risk. Early signs include thin, sparse canopies, D-shaped exit holes in the bark, and increased woodpecker activity as birds go after the larvae underneath. Once symptoms are obvious from the ground, the tree is often already in serious decline.
A dead or dying ash near a home, driveway, or power line becomes brittle fast and can drop large limbs with little warning, which makes early identification worth the effort. Not every ash needs to come down immediately, but every ash on a property is worth having assessed.
If you have an ash tree you have not had looked at in a while, it is worth checking before its condition changes the decision for you.
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A close-up of bark damage or canopy thinning on a real ash tree, or a crew member inspecting a trunk, would illustrate this well. If a recent job involved an ash removal, a before photo showing decline is a strong, authentic option.
Canva text suggestion: "Know the signs before it's too late" or "Ash trees need a second look."