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Fraxinus latifolia is often confused with:
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer saccharinum From
Platanus x acerifolia Platanus x acerfolia
Salix alba
Fraxinus latifolia has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Ash in North Carolina
Fraxinus latifolia has some common disease problems:
Diseases of Ash Trees in North Carolina

Oregon ash Fraxinus latifolia

Description

Oregon ash is a deciduous tree in the Oleaceae (olive) family.  It is native to western Canada and the Pacific coast of the U.S.A. Latifolia means “wide leaves” and Oregan ash has wider leaves than most ash trees. This tree grows 65-80 feet and can be very long-lived, up to 250 years. It grows fast as a young tree but slows down with maturity. The crown is broad and rounded in uncrowded conditions. It is found growing along waterways, bottomlands and other damp to wet sites. It prefers climates with cool and humid summers and winters that are usually mild. Dry conditions will cause stunting of growth, loss of leaves and allow for diseases to take hold. Being dioecious, it needs both male and female trees to produce seeds.

Oregon ash is found growing on deep, poorly drained clays or silty clay loams rich in humus. It will also grow on sandy, rocky, and gravelly soils along waterways or areas with seasonal flooding and prefers a pH of 4.8-7. It will grow in sun to part shade and can be used as a shade tree given the right conditions. It is also used to reclaim wet areas and meadows.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: A variety of fungi cause leaf spot and powdery mildew. A heart rot can cause an extensive defect in older trees. See potential insect and disease problem factsheets to the left

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shade tree#riparian#stream banks#lakes#deciduous tree#wet soils tolerant#landscape plant sleuths course#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shade tree#riparian#stream banks#lakes#deciduous tree#wet soils tolerant#landscape plant sleuths course#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fraxinus
    Species:
    latifolia
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used its wood for canoe paddles and digging sticks.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southwestern Canada to California
    Distribution:
    Oregan, CA, WA
    Wildlife Value:
    Seeds are eaten by songbirds, squirrels, and waterfowl. Deer and elk will graze its foliage and sprouts. It also provides food to some butterfly larvae.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Female trees produce winged samara with a single seed and single wing in hanging clusters. They are 1- 2 inches long
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Insignificant male and female inflorescences are borne in clusters on separate trees.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Odd pinnately compound yellow-green leaves with 5-7 leaflets. Each leaflet is 2-4.75 by 1-3 inches with a rounded base and pointed tip. The margin is serrate to entire. The end leaflet is wider, less serrated and often convex which helps to differentiate it from other ash trees. Fall color is yellow
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    The bark is dark gray-brown and matures to a woven pattern of deep fissures and ridges.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Twigs are opposite and stout with opposing buds and wooly hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds