A dead ash tree stump is a common sight in southwest Ohio. Emerald ash borer killed a great many ash trees in the region after it was confirmed in Hamilton County in 2007. Some of the stumps they left behind are still sending up shoots. This guide explains why, what the shoots are, and what you can do. It uses Ohio State University (OSU) Extension, city pages and USDA sources, and it does not go beyond them.
What does a dead ash stump look like?
A dead ash stump looks like any other stump, with one difference to watch for. Shoots may come up from the base or from the roots around it. OSU Extension describes this regrowth as coming “from the basal portions of dead trees and stumps.”
The OSU article “Is Emerald Ash Borer on the Rebound in Ohio?” (June 14, 2023) shows photos of this regrowth in southwest Ohio parks and neighborhoods. It calls the result multi-stemmed “bush ash.” That means several thin trunks growing from one spot, not one trunk.
Signs on a standing, still-living ash tree are different. USDA APHIS lists dead branches in the crown, bark cracks and D-shaped exit holes. OSU adds woodpecker damage and suckers at the trunk base. The ash tree and emerald ash borer pillar covers those signs. This guide is about the stump left after a tree is gone.
Terms used here:
| Term | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| Bush ash | Multi-stemmed ash that grows back from a dead tree or stump |
| Stump sprout | A shoot that grows from a stump |
| Emerald ash borer | The invasive beetle that kills ash trees |
| D-shaped exit hole | The hole an adult beetle leaves in bark |
Why does a dead ash stump send up shoots?
A dead ash stump sends up shoots because the beetle does not kill the whole plant. OSU Extension says “EAB only kills the above-ground portion of their ash hosts.” This meant new growth could and did resprout from the base.
OSU compares this to American chestnut. The chestnut blight fungus does not kill the chestnut’s root system. That is why chestnut sprouts still appear in woods, and some grow to a fair size before the fungus finds and kills them. Then, as OSU puts it, the cycle starts over.
For ash, OSU says regrowth was evident in southwest Ohio as early as 2008. The new stems were attacked as soon as they grew thick enough to support EAB larvae.
This is why the shoots on your stump are not a recovery. They are living ash tissue, and OSU says it can host the beetle again.
Is the beetle still around?
Yes. OSU Extension wrote in July 2026 that EAB “is still present in our forests and landscapes infesting new ash seedlings and resprouting ash.” The article is titled “Emerald Ash Borer Still Infesting Trees.”
OSU’s 2023 article says that multi-stemmed ash in southwest Ohio began to lose stems to EAB, and that the dieback was speeding up. Its lesson learned: EAB will be with us for years to come.
For the full picture by state, see emerald ash borer status in Ohio and Kentucky. For the dates behind it, read the post on the southwest Ohio timeline.
What are my options for a dead ash stump?
You have three choices: leave it, deal with the shoots, or have the stump ground. Each has trade-offs that the sources do not fully settle, so ask before you decide.
- Leave it. A stump left in place may keep sending up shoots. OSU does not say how long this lasts.
- Deal with the shoots. If you use any herbicide or insecticide, follow the product label. OSU says the label is the law. The guide on whether stump killer works explains the basics of cut-stump products.
- Grind the stump. Stump grinding chews the stump into wood chips. The sources used here do not say whether grinding stops ash shoots. See will a stump grow back and do roots die after stump grinding.
If shoots are your main worry, ask about it when you request your free estimate.
What if the ash stump is on the tree lawn?
If the stump is on the tree lawn, the strip between sidewalk and street, ask your city before you do anything. The tree may be public property, and the city may handle the stump.
Cincinnati. Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry oversees tree maintenance within public rights-of-way. Its page lists stump grinding among its services and takes service requests through 311. The city also requires a Public Tree Work Permit before work on or near a public tree. Read who grinds the stump in front of my Cincinnati house for the steps.
Forest Park. The city’s dead or dying tree program excludes street trees, which it defines as trees between the sidewalk and the street. It also names emerald ash borer as a reason large parts of its tree stock have died. See the post on the Forest Park dead tree program.
Other cities. Rules differ. The pillar on before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits lists the offices to call.
The tree lawn and street tree glossary entries explain the terms.
What should I do before grinding an ash stump?
Check for lines and rules before any digging or grinding. OHIO811 and Kentucky 811 each publish what they cover. Utility marks cover public lines. Private lines, such as a sprinkler line or lamp post wiring, are the owner’s to mark. The guide on whether you need to call 811 for stump grinding quotes the official pages.
After grinding, wood chips and a low spot remain. The after stump grinding pillar covers cleanup, fill and planting.
Next step
For a dead ash stump in Dayton, Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, start with the stump grinding service page. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my dead ash stump growing shoots?
Emerald ash borer kills only the above-ground part of an ash tree. Ohio State University Extension says new growth could and did resprout from the base. In southwest Ohio, regrowth from dead trees and stumps formed multi-stemmed bush ash, which was evident by 2008.
Can the shoots get emerald ash borer again?
Yes. OSU Extension says the new stems were attacked as soon as they reached enough girth to support EAB larvae. In 2023, OSU also reported dieback of multi-stemmed ash in southwest Ohio. A shoot is not safe from the beetle just because the old tree is gone.
Should I treat the shoots with chemicals?
The sources for this site do not give herbicide or insecticide steps for ash shoots. If you use any chemical product, follow the product label. Read the guide on stump killer first, and ask a local extension office or an ISA Certified Arborist for advice on your stump.
Who grinds a dead ash stump on the tree lawn?
It depends on the city. In Cincinnati, Parks Urban Forestry maintains trees in the public right-of-way and lists stump grinding among its services. In Forest Park, street trees are not eligible for the dead tree subsidy. Check with your city first.
Terms on this page
Sources
- Ohio State University BYGL: Is Emerald Ash Borer on the Rebound in Ohio?
- Ohio State University BYGL: Emerald Ash Borer Still Infesting Trees
- Cincinnati Parks: Urban Forestry
- City of Forest Park: Residential Dead or Dying Tree/Limb Removal Program
Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act.