Well, mourning is over and it’s time to move forward. Our once shady yard is now nearly full sun, thanks to the emerald ash borers that killed six mature ash trees in our yard. We have been gradually working at getting them down, but the last two years we’ve so enjoyed easily observing the hummingbirds, finches, chickadees, waxwings and other birds’ behaviors as they perched, courted, fought over territory and scouted for predators from the dead branches. We finally decided they had to come down and spent this weekend working at it. Since we enjoy watching the hummers so much, we’ve decided to leave the trunks and use them as structures for flowering vines. I’m really thinking about trumpet vine or wisteria, but am nervous about their thug-like natures. (One good thing – the trunks are not near the house or shed.) I’d also like to find something that would cover the trunks and bloom in the next two years. Our soil is sandy and with a neutral pH, maybe a tick or two into slightly alkaline. What would some of our more experienced MGs advise?
emerald ash borer damage
I'm seeing the potential...
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...or at least trying to.
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 
My sister in law’s neighbor does sculptures from stumps. He’s very good at it. Maybe add an art piece in the yard. If you need his info I can get it.
Wisteria takes so long before it’ll bloom, but is well worth it. The foliage will grow fast. Might I suggest a variety of Honeysuckle as well. It’s a fast grower and the Hummingbirds love it too.
Have a campfire with the cut wood pile. Great for the cool evenings.
Linda’s on the right track. Looking at the cut-back tree, reminds me of a hand emerging from the ground…it is definitely sculptural and would be a great prop to hang a bunch of interesting planters. I don’t know if the hand is a death agony or it is about to receive excalibur as it is tossed into the lake…
If you let a vine take it over, the shape will be blurred and all of the insect damage and tunneling lost under the foliage. It is a great focal point and a good conversation piece for a MG to have.
It is amazing what some of these chainsaw sculptors can do with a dead tree. Look at the Indian totem that was once a tall pine at the Christmas Bells store in Dundee, until the beetles did it in.
I agree with the earlier comments, but….A vine that clings closely to the trunk, like virginia creeper, will obscure the shape less. Not much for flowers but attractive berries and great fall color on this native woody ornamental.
You could make a verticle garden from them. I seen one at Krones Conservatory in Cincinnati. I’ll send you a photo of it by e-mail. The drilled into the tree and placed pots in it. It seems they also put some plaster or stucco material (maybe concrete) in the holes to help the wood rott. At least that’s my thought. But the idea was great.
Thanks for all the the suggestions! I’m not one for yard sculptures, but the virginia creeper idea suits me. I’ve often admired it but have never planted any. The vertical garden idea is intriguing as well. Gives me food for thought – thanks again!