The invasive beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across Pennsylvania — and if you've got an ash, it's a question of when, not if.
Emerald ash borer has been moving through southeastern PA for years, and at this point most untreated ash trees in our area are infested or already dead. The larvae tunnel under the bark and cut off the tree's ability to move water and nutrients, so the tree starves from the top down — usually over two to four years.
Here's the part that matters for your property: a dead ash gets brittle fast. The wood dries out and limbs — or the whole tree — can come down with no warning, which makes a standing dead ash one of the more dangerous trees to leave near a house, driveway, or where kids play.
This is general guidance from three decades of tree work across the Philadelphia area — not a formal diagnosis. When it matters, we'll come look at the actual tree and give you a straight answer, free.
Brennan Tree Service has cared for trees across the Philadelphia area since 1994.
Once a tree has lost a lot of its canopy, it's generally too far gone to save and removal is the safer call. We'll take a look and give you an honest read on whether yours is worth keeping or should come down.
Yes — more than most. Ash wood gets brittle quickly after the tree dies, so limbs and trunks can fail suddenly. If it's near your house, driveway, or yard, it's worth getting down before that happens.
No pressure, no surprises — we come out, take a look, and tell you straight. Serving the Philadelphia area since 1994.