No leaves for an entire year = most likely dead. Remove it.

So it's normal for lowest branches to lose their leaves? Leaves won't come back?

Paul

no its not normal ... there is a problem.. which will not be defined on words alone ...

dont know where you are.. but EAB is killing many ash ... you NEED TO FIND OUT IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM ....

but not knowing where you are.. i cant go any further..

call your local extension office ...

emerald ash borer

ken

It depends on how many branches are dead and the age of the trees. If they are mature and there are a lot, then disease is a definite possibility. If there are only one or two per season, then it is just the natural pruning process in action.

We had a half acre with over a half dozen mature maples and ash, try as I might I always had a brush pile in the back of the lot.

As for pruning if done carefully, prune when you hit your head on it one to many times, or when you start seeing it as an eyesore.

I contend the loss of some shaded out lower branches is normal.

As I own some Ash trees EAB is sadly a problem I am familiar with though. Do some reading on the topic.

I thought symptom of EAB was thinning from the top and suckers from the bottom? I suppose I'll check out the tree for borer holes.

Paul

You are correct and your issue could just be a shading issue.

A pic will help out tremendously. Some knowledgeable folks don't even respond without a pic.