Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Breeding System: Monoecious
Fruit Type: Samara
Leaf Color: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , HI , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: N.S. to s.e. MN & e. NE, s. to n. FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Rich, upland or lowland woods; well-drained stream banks; pastures
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Deep, mesic soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: White ash has a medium growth rate. It is not as adaptable as green ash, but is considered superior as an ornamental. Susceptible, like many ashes, to a wide variety of disease and insect pests; these usually are not a problem to vigorously growing trees. Seedlings will tolerate quite a bit of shade, but if a full crown is desired, a generous amount of sun will be necessary as the tree matures. Prune in fall.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Shade tree, Fall conspicuous
Use Wildlife: Winged seeds attract song and game birds. Cover, Nesting site, Seeds-granivorous birds, Browse.
Use Other: Some tribes used the bark to produce a yellow dye. (Kershaw)

Ash leaf juice has been recommended for soothing mosquito bites and bee stings. (Kershaw)
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum), Mourning Cloak, Red-spotted Purple, Viceroy & Tiger Swallowtail

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Fraxinus americana is a larval host and/or nectar source for:

Canadian sphinx (Sphinx canadensis) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA	Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA	Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA	Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA
Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
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. Some references suggest preceding this treatment with an equal period of warm stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

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Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: Our 15 year old Texas ash has less leaf production this year. It also has a small amount of algae on the trunk, and some of the branches have small white spots on it. Also, a few of the branches closest to the trunk have died. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: We have a generous stand of white trillium that has been under the shade of a white oak for many years. Now the 100+ year old oak has died and the trilliums are in the sun. Are we in danger of losing them? If so, how do we save them? We have heard transplanting is very difficult and thought if we planted huge hostas like the sum and substance around the trillium that the hosta would provide shade. What do you think and do you have a better suggestion?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski
Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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