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Fraxinus nigra
Fraxinus nigra Marshall
Black Ash
Oleaceae (Olive Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: frni
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Black Ash is a small-canopied, medium-sized tree, usually 40-50 ft. tall. Branches reach upward instead of outward like white ash. Leaves are pinnately compound with leaflets that are finely serrated. Bark is scaly and flaky rather tham ridged and furrowed. Insignificant fall color.
The northernmost native ash, Black Ash takes its name from the dark brown heartwood. Baskets, barrel hoops, and woven chair bottoms are made from thin rough strips of split wood, giving rise to the other names.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Samara
Size Notes: Up to about 90 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: CT , DC , DE , IA , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Nf. to Man., s. to VA, KY & IA
Native Habitat: Wet woods; stream banks; lake margins
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Peat soils, also sandy loams.
Conditions Comments: Black ash is one of the hardiest of all hardwoods. Fast-growing and long-lived. Susceptible, like many ashes, to a wide variety of disease and insect pests; these usually are not a problem to vigorously growing trees.
Benefit
Attracts: BirdsPropagation
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
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW |
Web Reference
Webref 26 - Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota (2009)Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Fraxinus nigra in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Fraxinus nigra in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Fraxinus nigra
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-19Research By: TWC Staff