Emerald Ash Borer in Holland, MI: Is Your Ash Tree Safe?

Published by Gill’s Tree Service · Fennville, MI · Serving Holland and West Michigan

If you own property in Holland, Michigan, there’s a good chance you have at least one ash tree on your lot. Ash trees were one of the most commonly planted street and yard trees across West Michigan for decades — prized for their shade, fast growth, and attractive fall color. But since the early 2000s, a tiny green beetle has been quietly devastating ash trees across the state, and Holland has been hit hard.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has killed tens of millions of ash trees across Michigan and continues to spread. If you have ash trees on your Holland property that haven’t been treated, they’re almost certainly infested — or will be soon. Here’s everything Holland homeowners need to know about EAB, how to spot it, and what to do about it.

What Is the Emerald Ash Borer?

The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle native to Asia that was first discovered near Detroit, Michigan in 2002. It likely arrived in the United States inside wooden packing materials shipped from overseas. Since then, EAB has spread to more than 35 states and killed an estimated 100 million ash trees nationwide.

Adult EAB beetles are small — about half an inch long — with a distinctive metallic green color. But it’s the larvae that do the real damage. Female beetles lay eggs in the bark crevices of ash trees. When the larvae hatch, they tunnel into the inner bark and feed on the tree’s vascular system — the thin layer just under the bark that transports water and nutrients throughout the tree.

As the larvae feed, they create winding, S-shaped tunnels called galleries that cut off the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients from the roots to the canopy. Over two to four years, this feeding damage gradually starves the tree from the top down until it dies.

How Bad Is EAB in Holland and Ottawa County?

Holland and the surrounding areas of Ottawa County have been significantly affected by EAB. The beetle has been present in West Michigan for well over a decade, and the vast majority of untreated ash trees in the Holland area are either already dead, actively dying, or heavily infested.

Drive through any Holland neighborhood — Waukazoo Woods, Beechwood, Holland Heights, or the neighborhoods along Lakewood Boulevard — and you’ll see the evidence. Dead ash trees with bare canopies, standing dead trunks that haven’t been removed yet, and stumps where ash trees once stood. The City of Holland and Holland Township have removed thousands of ash trees from public rights-of-way, but many more remain on private property.

The problem isn’t going away. EAB continues to infest any remaining untreated ash trees, and dead ash trees become increasingly dangerous the longer they stand.

How to Identify an Ash Tree on Your Holland Property

Before you can determine if you have an EAB problem, you need to know if you have ash trees. Here’s how to identify them:

Compound leaves: Ash trees have compound leaves with 5-9 leaflets arranged opposite each other along a central stem. Each leaflet is 2-6 inches long with a pointed tip and serrated edges.

Opposite branching: Look at how branches grow from the trunk. Ash trees have an “opposite“ branching pattern, meaning branches grow directly across from each other rather than alternating. This is one of the easiest identification features.

Diamond-shaped bark: Mature ash trees develop a distinctive bark pattern with interlocking diamond-shaped ridges. Younger trees have smoother bark.

Seeds: Ash trees produce clusters of single-winged seeds (called samaras) that hang in bunches and look like small paddles.

The most common ash species in Holland are white ash, green ash, and black ash. All North American ash species are susceptible to EAB.

Signs of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

If you’ve confirmed you have ash trees, look for these signs of EAB infestation:

Canopy thinning from the top down: This is usually the first visible sign. The upper branches lose leaves and die first, with the dieback gradually progressing downward over one to three years. By the time you notice significant thinning, the tree is often heavily infested.

D-shaped exit holes: Adult beetles emerge from the bark through small, D-shaped holes about 1/8 inch wide. These are distinctive — other wood-boring insects leave round holes. Look for them on the trunk and larger branches.

S-shaped larval galleries: If you peel back a section of loose bark on an infested tree, you’ll see the winding, S-shaped tunnels carved by feeding larvae. These galleries are packed with sawdust-like frass.

Increased woodpecker activity: Woodpeckers feed on EAB larvae and are often the first to find an infestation. If you notice heavy woodpecker activity on your ash tree — especially large patches of bark that have been stripped away — it’s a strong sign of EAB.

Bark splitting: As larvae feed under the bark, the bark can split vertically, sometimes revealing the larval galleries underneath.

Epicormic sprouting: Stressed ash trees often produce clusters of new shoots (called suckers or epicormic sprouts) growing directly from the trunk or major branches. This is the tree’s desperate attempt to produce new foliage to survive.

Why Dead Ash Trees in Holland Are Dangerous

Here’s what many Holland homeowners don’t realize: a dead ash tree is far more dangerous than a dead tree of most other species.

Ash wood becomes extremely brittle when it dries out after the tree dies. Unlike oak or maple, which remain relatively solid for years after death, ash trees lose structural integrity rapidly. Branches become so brittle they snap without warning. The trunk can break apart in sections. Root systems that once anchored the tree decay quickly in Holland’s moist soils.

This is especially dangerous during Holland’s lake-effect storms. A dead ash tree that appears to be standing fine on a calm day can suddenly shed massive branches — or topple entirely — during a wind event. We’ve responded to numerous emergency calls in Holland where dead ash trees fell onto homes, cars, fences, and power lines during storms.

The longer a dead ash tree stands, the more dangerous it becomes. After two to three years, many dead ash trees are too brittle to safely climb, which means they require crane removal — a more complex and expensive process than removing them while they still have some structural integrity.

If you have a dead ash tree on your Holland property, don’t wait for the next storm. Have it removed now while it can still be taken down safely and affordably.

Should You Treat or Remove Your Ash Tree?

If your ash tree is still alive and showing less than 50% canopy loss, treatment with systemic insecticides may be an option. These treatments need to be applied every one to two years for the life of the tree and are most effective when administered by a certified arborist.

However, treatment only makes sense if the tree is healthy enough to recover, is in a desirable location, and if you’re committed to the ongoing cost. For many Holland homeowners, removal is the more practical choice — especially if the tree is already showing significant decline.

Removal is the right call when:

The tree has lost more than 50% of its canopy. The tree is dead or nearly dead. The tree is close to your home, garage, or other structures. The tree is near power lines. You don’t want the ongoing expense of treatment. The tree is in a location where failure would cause property damage or endanger people.

What Gill’s Tree Service Does for Holland Homeowners

At Gill’s Tree Service, we’ve removed hundreds of EAB-infested and dead ash trees across Holland and West Michigan over the past decade. We understand the unique challenges these trees present — the brittleness, the unpredictable failure points, and the need for specialized equipment on many removals.

Our crew uses professional rigging techniques and crane-assisted removal when dead ash trees are too brittle to safely climb. Our cranes allow us to lift sections of the tree straight up and away from your home, eliminating the risk of brittle branches falling onto your property during the removal process.

We provide free estimates for all ash tree removals in Holland, Zeeland, Park Township, Holland Township, and surrounding communities. We’ll assess your tree’s condition, explain your options, and give you an honest quote with no pressure and no hidden fees.

Frequently Asked Questions About EAB in Holland

How much does it cost to remove a dead ash tree in Holland?

Dead ash tree removal in Holland typically costs between $500 and $2,500 depending on the tree’s size, location, and how long it’s been dead. Trees that have been dead longer may require crane removal due to brittleness, which can increase the cost. We provide free estimates so you know exactly what to expect. You can also try our online price calculator for a quick ballpark estimate.

Will my homeowner’s insurance cover ash tree removal?

Generally, homeowner’s insurance does not cover the cost of removing a standing dead tree. However, if the tree falls and damages an insured structure (your home, garage, fence, etc.), most policies will cover the removal cost and the structural repairs. This is another reason not to wait — removing the tree proactively is almost always cheaper than dealing with the damage after it falls.

Can EAB spread to other trees on my property?

EAB only affects ash trees (genus Fraxinus). It will not spread to your oaks, maples, pines, or other tree species. However, if you have multiple ash trees, they are all at risk.

What should I plant to replace my ash tree?

Good replacement options for Holland include native species like red oak, sugar maple, tulip tree, or bald cypress. Avoid planting another ash tree, as EAB will continue to be present in the environment. We offer tree planting services and can help you choose the right replacement for your property.

Don’t Wait — Call Gill’s Tree Service Today

If you have dead or dying ash trees on your Holland property, the safest and most cost-effective time to remove them is now — before the next storm, before they become more brittle, and before they cause damage to your home or injure someone.

Call (616) 886-8920 or request a free estimate online . We’ll come to your property, assess your ash trees, and give you an honest recommendation.

Gill’s Tree Service has been serving Holland and West Michigan for over 12 years with 96+ five-star Google reviews. We’re fully licensed, insured, and crane-equipped for safe ash tree removal. Learn more about our tree services in Holland →