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Fraxinus latifolia Benth.

Oregon ash

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

Synonyms: Fraxinus pennsylvanica ssp. oregana

USDA Symbol: FRLA

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Oregon ash is a narrow-crowned, straight-trunked tree when grown in thickets, becoming more broad-crowned in the open. Growing 30-70 ft., this tree bears stout branchlets and light-green, pinnately compound, deciduous leaves. Fall color is a clear yellow.

Oregon Ash is the only ash native to the Northwest and the only western ash with commercially important wood; it is used for furniture, flooring, millwork, paneling, boxes, and fuel. It is also planted as a shade tree along the Pacific Coast. According to an old superstition in the Northwest, poisonous snakes are unknown where this ash grows, and rattlesnakes will not crawl over a branch or stick from the tree.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 36-72 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: W. base of Sierras from Kern to Modoc Cos., Coast Ranges from Santa Clara Co. to B.C.
Native Habitat: Moist canyon sites & stream banks below 5500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist, rich, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: This tree is good for revegetating wet, lowland areas.

Propagation

Description: Seeds may be sown outdoors after collection or stored and stratified then sown in spring.
Seed Treatment: Stratify in moist sand or perlite for 30-60 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Fraxinus latifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Fraxinus latifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Fraxinus latifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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