Fraxinus americana

White Ash is a deciduous tree that may grow 60-90 feet tall. The leaves are opposite and pinnately compound with 5-9 (mostly 7) leaflets. The bark is yellow-brown to light gray and corky with deep furrows that separate short, pointed ridges. Small, light green to purple flowers, with no petals, mature in loose panicles in the spring. The tree produces a one-winged, dry, flattened samara with a full, rounded, seed cavity that matures in the fall.

Ash trees have male and female flowers on separate trees and only the female flowers develop into fruits. Purchasing male trees will prevent you from having to deal with the fruits which can be a bit of a nuisance near a walkway. It is worth considering planting female ash trees though, because the fruits are born in clusters among the foliage and add a sophisticated note of unusual dimension to the trees in late summer.

The cultivars of White Ash are generally much more desirable than seedling trees and are well worth seeking out. A few of the many excellent ones include: 'Autumn Applause' - known for its maroon fall color, dense branching and gracefully drooping foliage, 'Autumn Blaze' - a female selection with purple fall color, 'Autumn Purple' - a male with excellent displays of purple-red foliage in the fall, and 'Chicago Regal' - a vigorous grower which develops purple fall color.

The White ash is the largest of the native ashes.  

White Ash is a valuable timber tree  Its wood is commercially used for a variety of products including tool handles, oars, garden furniture and sports equipment.  White ash is the wood used for the Louisville Slugger baseball bat.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Seasons of Interest: 

     Leaves: Fall; Fruit/Seed: Summer

Insects, Diseases, and Other Pest Problems:   Emerald ash borer will will typically kill an ash tree within 3-5 years after inestation  One infestation accurs, it is difficult to eradicate this pest which feeds under the bark and bores into the wood.  Other potential problems are ash borer, lilac borer, carpenter worm, oyster shell scale, leaf miners, fall websworms, ash sawflies and ash leaf curl aphid.  Potential disease problems include fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, rst, anthracnose, cankers and ash yellows.  General ash decline is also a concern.  Brittle branches are susceptible to damage from high winds, snow and ice.

Planting new ash trees is no longer recommended due to the trees susceptibilty to the emerald ash borer.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.