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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Quercus nigra Quercus nigra
Taxodium distichum Taxodium distichum
Ulmus rubra Tree form (Guilford County, NC)-Mid Summer
Fraxinus profunda has some common insect problems:
Emerald Ash Borer
Common Insect Pests of Ash in North Carolina
Fraxinus profunda has some common disease problems:
Diseases of Ash Trees in North Carolina

Pumpkin Ash Fraxinus profunda

Phonetic Spelling
FRAK-si-nus pro-FUN-duh
Description

Pumpkin Ash is a large tree needing a large space. This flowering, deciduous tree has an open crown and can reach heights of 125 feet, but typically it will mature at 60 to 80 feet.  Its natural habitat includes consistently moist areas such as swamps, floodplains, river valleys, and other low areas. it is quite often found growing along with bald cypress. When located in an area that remains wet during the growing season, the trunk may become swollen at the base, somewhat resembling a pumpkin, thus its common name. The twigs are stout, fuzzy, and light gray-brown.  The leaf scars are oval (not deeply notched). Its species are dioecious, that is, separate male and female trees. The female tree will bear fruit in late summer to early fall. Genus name is the Latin for ash trees.

 Pumpkin Ash does best in consistently moist to wet loam soil which can be clay or sandy in full sun or light shade. It will not tolerate dry soils.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Due to its high susceptibility to emerald ash borer, this tree is not recommended.  Trees will typically succumb within 3 to 5 years of infestation.  It is also affected by lilac borer, and carpenter worms.  Diseases include fungal leaf spot, powdery mildew, rust, and cankers.  Its limbs are brittle and often damaged by high winds. See potential insect and disease problem factsheets to the left

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#large tree#native tree#high maintenance#NC native#deer resistant#Braham Arboretum#clay soils tolerant#frequent insect problems#short lived#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#large tree#native tree#high maintenance#NC native#deer resistant#Braham Arboretum#clay soils tolerant#frequent insect problems#short lived#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fraxinus
    Species:
    profunda
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Central and Eastern United States.
    Distribution:
    Eastern United States and Canada, New York to Missouri south to Florida and Louisiana.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    On female trees, drooping clusters of one-winged, flattened samara, 2 to 3 inches long, 1/2 inch wide, wing extends nearly to base, wider than green or white ash.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Flower buds are brown and scruffy. Flowers in clusters in April and May. Pumpkin ash is primarily dioecious (separate male and female trees), with ornamentally insignificant greenish male and female flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leathery leaves are dark green, 9 to 18 inches in length with 7 to 9 leaflets. Each is composed of 7 to 9 yellowish-green to green leaflets. The underside is pale and hairy. They have bronze-red to bronze purple fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    Barks are light gray-brown and have interlacing ridges to nearly blocky.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Frequent Insect Problems