--- title: "Dead Ash Tree Stump: Shoots, Bush Ash and Your Options" description: "A dead ash tree stump can send up shoots after emerald ash borer. See why it happens, what bush ash is, and your options, with sources from OSU Extension." url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/dead-ash-tree-stump publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding phone: +1-513-587-6772 quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact --- # What to do with a dead ash tree stump A dead ash tree stump can send up new shoots because emerald ash borer kills only the above-ground part of the tree. Ohio State University Extension calls the multi-stemmed regrowth bush ash. The new stems can be attacked again. Your options are to leave the stump, ask about shoots, or have it ground. GuideUpdated October 26, 20264 min read ## Shoots are common OSU Extension says ash regrowth from dead trees and stumps was evident in southwest Ohio as early as 2008. ## Bush ash can be re-attacked OSU says the new stems were attacked once they grew thick enough to support EAB larvae. ## Roots are not killed by the beetle OSU says EAB kills only the above-ground portion of its ash hosts. ## Public stumps have a process In Cincinnati, Parks Urban Forestry lists stump grinding among its services for trees in the public right-of-way. 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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/ash-trees-emerald-ash-borer-stumps) covers those signs. This guide is about the stump left after a tree is gone. Terms used here: Term Plain meaning [Bush ash](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/bush-ash) Multi-stemmed ash that grows back from a dead tree or stump [Stump sprout](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-sprout) A shoot that grows from a stump [Emerald ash borer](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/emerald-ash-borer) The invasive beetle that kills ash trees [D-shaped exit hole](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/emerald-ash-borer-status-ohio-kentucky). For the dates behind it, read the post on the [southwest Ohio timeline](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/emerald-ash-borer-in-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. 1. **Leave it.** A stump left in place may keep sending up shoots. OSU does not say how long this lasts. 2. **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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/does-stump-killer-work) explains the basics of cut-stump products. 3. **Grind the stump.** [Stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/will-a-stump-grow-back) and [do roots die after stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/forest-park-dead-tree-program-stump-not-covered). **Other cities.** Rules differ. The pillar on [before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) lists the offices to call. The [tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn) and [street tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-you-need-to-call-811-for-stump-grinding) quotes the official pages. After grinding, [wood chips](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/wood-chips) and a low spot remain. The [after stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/services/stump-grinding). Call (513) 587-6772 or [send photos for a free estimate](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact). ## 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 - [Public tree work permit](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/public-tree-work-permit) - [D-shaped exit hole](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/d-shaped-exit-hole) - [Emerald ash borer](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/emerald-ash-borer) - [Stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grinding) - [Urban forestry](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/urban-forestry) - [Kentucky 811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/kentucky-811) - [Stump killer](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-killer) - [Stump sprout](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-sprout) - [Resprouting](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/resprouting) - [Street tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/street-tree) ## Sources 1. [Ohio State University BYGL: Is Emerald Ash Borer on the Rebound in Ohio?](https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2166) 2. [Ohio State University BYGL: Emerald Ash Borer Still Infesting Trees](https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2655) 3. [Cincinnati Parks: Urban Forestry](https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/natural-resources/urban-forestry/) 4. [City of Forest Park: Residential Dead or Dying Tree/Limb Removal Program](https://www.forestpark.org/government/environmental_awareness/tree_assistance_program.php) 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. ## Keep reading - [Emerald ash borer in Ohio, and what it means for the ash stump in your yardEmerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that kills ash trees. Ohio State University Extension says it was confirmed in Hamilton County in 2007. EAB kills only the above-ground part of an ash, so a dead ash stump can send up new shoots, called bush ash. Those shoots can be attacked again.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/ash-trees-emerald-ash-borer-stumps) - [Before you grind: 811, the tree lawn and street tree permitsThe Ohio and Kentucky statutes tell an excavator to notify 811 before excavation. The Ohio definition of excavation does not name stump grinding, so ask OHIO811 or Kentucky 811 if you are unsure. The call is free. A stump on the tree lawn follows city rules, and those rules differ by town.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) - [Do tree roots die after stump grinding?Grinding removes the stump and large lateral roots, typically down 8 to 12 inches, per Iowa State Extension. The roots left behind break down over several years, per Purdue Extension. No extension page we found says all roots die, and some trees send up sprouts from roots that stay alive.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-roots-die-after-stump-grinding) - [Emerald Ash Borer in Southwest Ohio: A Timeline to 2026Emerald ash borer was confirmed in Hamilton County in 2007, according to Ohio State University Extension. Ash trees died quickly, beetle numbers crashed, and dead stumps sent up shoots called bush ash from 2008. OSU Extension reported in 2023 and again in 2026 that the beetle is back and still infesting trees.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/emerald-ash-borer-in-southwest-ohio-timeline) - [What to do after stump grinding: chips, topsoil, grass and new treesAfter stump grinding, a pile of wood chips stays in the hole. Extension sources advise hauling the chips away, filling the hole with quality topsoil, and adding a little extra soil because the ground settles as buried wood rots. Wait to plant a tree directly over the old stump.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/after-stump-grinding) - [Do you need to call 811 for stump grinding?The Ohio and Kentucky statutes do not name stump grinding. OHIO811 asks you to contact it any time soil is disturbed, and Kentucky 811 says to contact 811 before you dig. The request is free and takes two working days. If you are unsure whether your job counts, ask the 811 center.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-you-need-to-call-811-for-stump-grinding)