Fraxinus quadrangulata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- FRAK-si-nus kwad-ran-gyoo-LAH-ta
- Description
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Blue ash is a deciduous tree native to the midwestern U.S.A. in the olive family (Oleaceae). The species epithet is Latin for “four-angled” and refers to the young twigs, which bear four longitudinal ridges or low wings giving the twig a four-sided appearance.
Blue ash is found growing in both damp and dry conditions and tolerates growing on limestone substrates better than other ash trees. It prefers full sun and is not picky about soil types. Unlike some ash trees, blue ash dislikes flooded conditions and tolerates alkaline soils.
This tree will grow 50 to 60 feet tall with an oval to pyramidal form. The common name of blue ash comes from a dye that was extracted from the bark and used to color yarn by the early settlers. This tree has also suffered from the emerald ash borer but seems to be the least affected in comparison to other North American ash trees.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Emerald ash borer. It can be more difficult to propagate and slower to establish than other ash trees. See potential insect and disease problem factsheets to the left.
VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fraxinus
- Species:
- quadrangulata
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North and East central U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MI , MN , MO , MS , OH , OK , TN , VA , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds and mammals will eat the seeds. Tadpoles feed on the fallen leaves. Many moths and butterfly larvae will eat the leaves.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Winged samaras in clusters. Individuals are 1–1½" long, ¼–½" across
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- A panicle of very small insignificant flowers in spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The green opposite compound leaves have 5-11 leaflets, most often 7-9, that may have a few hairs on the underside. Each leaflet is 2-5 by 1-2 inches. They have short stems and are oval to lanceolate in shape. The margins are serrated. Fall color is a pale yellow.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Ridges
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Irregular
- Bark Description:
- Gray to gray-brown bark with furrows and short irregular ridges
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- 4-sided twigs are corky and buds are gray to brown. May be slightly pubescent
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Frogs
- Moths
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Frequent Insect Problems
