Michigan · ash borer, oak wilt, beech disease
Dead tree removal in Michigan
In Michigan, most dead trees near homes were killed by an invasive pest or disease: emerald ash borer, first found in the U.S. near Detroit in 2002, oak wilt in red oaks, and more recently beech leaf disease. Dead trees get brittle and dangerous to climb, so remove them before they fail, and don't cut or wound oaks from April 15 to July 15.
Michigan at a glance
- Emerald ash borer
- First U.S. detection near Detroit in 2002; tens of millions of ash killed in Southeast Michigan
- Oak wilt
- Don't prune or wound oaks April 15–July 15 (Michigan DNR)
- Beech leaf disease
- Confirmed in St. Clair County in 2022 and spreading
- Best removal season
- Winter: frozen ground, lower disease risk, more crew availability
Reviewed and updated
Why so many Michigan trees are dying
Emerald ash borer was first identified in the United States near Detroit in 2002. Its larvae feed under the bark and cut off the tree's water and nutrient flow, and it has killed tens of millions of ash trees in Southeast Michigan alone. Most untreated ash in the Lower Peninsula is now dead or gone, and the ones still standing in yards are among the most hazardous trees a homeowner can have.
Two diseases are now adding to the list. Oak wilt kills red oaks (northern red, black and pin oak) within weeks of infection and spreads through root grafts to neighboring oaks. Beech leaf disease, caused by a microscopic nematode, was first confirmed in Michigan in a woodlot in St. Clair County in 2022 and has been found in more southeast counties since; affected beech can die within six to ten years of the first symptoms.
How to tell if your tree is dead or dying
Ash
- What to look for
- Thinning at the top of the crown, sprouts on the trunk, vertical bark splits, D-shaped exit holes, woodpecker "blonding"
Red oak group
- What to look for
- Leaves wilting and browning from the top down in early summer, often several oaks in a ring
Beech
- What to look for
- Dark bands between leaf veins, thick, curled leaves, thinning canopy
Any tree
- What to look for
- No leaves in spring, bark falling off in sheets, fungus at the base, brittle twigs that snap
Why dead ash are dangerous to leave
Ash killed by emerald ash borer dries out and becomes brittle faster than many other dead trees. Limbs snap without warning, and climbers can't trust the wood for rigging, so crews often switch to bucket trucks or cranes, which costs more. The longer a dead ash stands, the more dangerous and expensive it gets to remove.
If an ash still has most of its canopy and you want to keep it, treatment by a certified applicator can protect it. Once a third or more of the crown is gone, removal is usually the better choice.
The oak wilt calendar: April 15 to July 15
Michigan DNR asks homeowners not to prune, cut or wound oaks from April 15 to July 15, when sap beetles that carry oak wilt spores are active; Michigan State University research shows infection risk peaks in May and June. If an oak is damaged in that window, cover the wound immediately with tree-wound paint or latex paint.
This affects dead-tree work too. Removing a dead red oak that died of oak wilt needs care: the wood can carry spores, so it shouldn't be moved as firewood with bark on, and neighboring oaks may need root-graft disruption to stop the spread. Ask the company how they handle oak wilt wood.
Winter is removal season in Michigan
Frozen ground lets trucks and lifts reach backyard trees without rutting lawns, insects and disease vectors are inactive, and crews are less booked than in storm season. For a dead tree that isn't an immediate hazard, a winter removal is usually the cheapest and gentlest option. A dead tree leaning over the house shouldn't wait for winter.
Removal process for a brittle dead tree
- 1
Confirm it's dead
An arborist checks for live tissue and looks for the cause, which matters if nearby trees of the same species are at risk.
- 2
Choose the method
Bucket truck, crane or controlled felling instead of climbing, when the wood is too weak to trust.
- 3
Remove
Sections are taken down or the tree is felled in a planned direction.
- 4
Dispose properly
Wood from trees killed by invasive pests may be subject to firewood movement rules. Don't haul it across county or state lines.
Firewood, quarantines and moving wood
Don't move firewood long distances. It's how emerald ash borer and other pests spread. Michigan's guidance is to buy and burn firewood locally. Oak wilt wood from red oaks should be cut, split and dried or covered so beetles can't reach the spore mats under the bark. Let the tree company haul or chip wood from diseased trees unless you've agreed otherwise.
Michigan cities and nearby guidance
Detroit's neighborhoods were among the first in North America to lose their ash, and the city page covers its street-tree rules, storms and the trees now replacing the ash canopy.
Where emerald ash borer was first found, and Detroit's street trees.
Michigan dead tree questions
Is it dangerous to leave a dead ash tree standing in Michigan?
Yes, if it can reach anything. Dead ash become brittle quickly and drop limbs or snap without warning, and the longer they stand, the harder and costlier they are to remove safely.
Can I cut my oak tree in May in Michigan?
Avoid it. Michigan DNR asks people not to prune or wound oaks from April 15 to July 15, when oak wilt spreads through fresh wounds. If an oak is damaged then, paint the wound immediately.
How do I know if my oak died from oak wilt?
Red oaks with oak wilt wilt and brown from the top down in early summer and often die within weeks, frequently in groups next to each other. Confirm with an arborist or MSU Extension before removal, because neighboring oaks may need protection.
What is killing beech trees in Michigan?
Beech leaf disease, caused by a microscopic nematode, confirmed in Michigan in 2022. Look for dark bands between the leaf veins and thickened, curled leaves; affected trees can die within six to ten years.
Should I treat my ash tree or remove it?
Treat healthy, valuable ash with most of their canopy. Trees with heavy dieback, roughly a third of the crown or more, usually don't recover and are better removed before they become brittle.
Why does removing a dead tree cost more than a live one?
Brittle wood can't support a climber or rigging, so crews often need a bucket truck or crane and more time. Waiting usually makes it more expensive, not less.
When is the best time to remove a dead tree in Michigan?
Winter is ideal for non-urgent removals: frozen ground, no oak wilt risk and better availability. A dead tree that could hit the house should be removed now.
Can I burn ash wood from my yard in my fireplace?
Yes, locally. Don't transport ash or oak firewood elsewhere; moving firewood spreads pests and disease. Season it first: split ash dries quickly and burns well. Keep the pile on your property and away from any ash you're still treating.
Is a dead tree on my property line my responsibility in Michigan?
Generally the owner of the land where the trunk stands is responsible. If it's shared, talk with your neighbor and put agreements in writing. See who pays when a tree falls.
Who removes dead trees near me in Michigan?
Insured local tree companies with bucket trucks or cranes for brittle trees. You can call us to reach an independent provider serving your part of Michigan.
Sources for the local facts on this page
- Michigan DNR: Keep oak trees healthy; don't prune April 15–July 15 (checked 2026-10-03)
- Michigan Invasive Species: Invasive beech leaf disease found in Michigan (checked 2026-10-03)
- MSU: Emerald ash borer (checked 2026-10-03)
- Emerald Ash Borer Information Network: Michigan (checked 2026-10-03)
Dead tree removal in Michigan
Call to speak with a local tree-service provider about removal, trimming, stumps or storm damage. Describe the tree and what it's near, and they'll explain the next step.