Maple vs. Ash in Fairport, NY: Different Failure Patterns, Different Fixes
Maples here split and shed at weak unions or from girdling roots. Ash here fail brittle after emerald ash borer (EAB) kills the canopy. The fixes are different: structural pruning and root remediation for maples; treat early or remove ash before they turn hazardous. Fairport gets heavy snow and frequent wind, so both species see extra load. BestPlaces+1
How maples typically fail
Co-dominant stems and included bark. Silver and Norway maples often form V-shaped forks with bark trapped inside. These unions are mechanically weaker and split under wind or snow load. Isa Arbor+1
Girdling roots in urban plantings. Container-grown Norway maples frequently develop circling roots that constrict the trunk base, leading to decline and unstable anchorage over time.
Fixes we use on maples
Structural pruning to ANSI A300. Reduce and thin to move weight off weak forks; remove one stem in co-dominant pairs while trees are still young; never top. Sullivan's Island
Cabling/bracing when appropriate. Install supplemental supports per ANSI A300 Part 3 for high-value trees with significant defects. IRP CDN
Root collar inspection. Expose the flare, check for girdling roots, and plan selective root remediation if feasible.
How ash Trees fail
Brittle breakage after EAB. Once EAB kills conductive tissue, ash become unpredictably brittle; limbs and stems fail in ordinary weather, not just storms. Dead ash also get more dangerous to remove as they dry. University of Maryland Extension+1
Fixes we use on ash
Treat early if the tree is still worth keeping. Trunk-injected emamectin benzoate can protect lightly to moderately infested ash for two to three years per treatment when applied on-label and timed correctly. Start before heavy canopy loss. Wisconsin Horticulture+2Isa Arbor+2
Remove if decline is advanced. Severe dieback or extensive EAB galleries shifts the risk calculus; removals should be prioritized before the wood becomes too brittle for safe rigging. University of Maryland Extension
What that means for Fairport homeowners
Snow + wind = leverage. Our area averages ~83″ of snow and sees frequent lake-effect bursts and winter wind events, which magnify defects in both species. Plan pruning and risk mitigation before peak storm periods. BestPlaces+1
Maple game plan: Inspect forks and the root collar; schedule structural pruning on a 3–5-year cycle; consider cabling for high-value specimens with weak unions. Sullivan's Island+1
Ash game plan: If you want to save it and it still has strong canopy, talk injections; if it’s far gone, don’t wait—book removal while we can still rig it safely. Wisconsin Horticulture+1
When to call us now
You see a maple with a tight V-fork and fresh crack lines.
Your ash is dropping branches, has >30% canopy loss, or wood sounds punky when tapped.
Call 585-201-8533 — we’re 24/7.
Town service page: Tree Service in Fairport, NY
Nearby towns: Pittsford, NY, East Rochester, NY
