Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Size Notes: 30-45 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: OK , TX
Native Distribution: C. & n.c. TX
Native Habitat: Canyon bluffs; rocky slopes in open woods; along lakes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rocky soils; often of . Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type
Conditions Comments: Texas ash is a small tree with an attractive, densely branched canopy. Pinnate leaves have brilliant fall color. Long-lived and healthy. Very drought-tolerant. Low water requirements.
Texas comments: Texas ash is a small tree with an attractive, densely branched canopy. It is typically a long-lived and healthy tree. It is also very drought-tolerant and has low water requirements.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Fall conspicuous, Blooms ornamental, Attractive, Long-living, Fruits ornamental
Use Wildlife: Substrate-insectivorous birds, Cover, Nesting site, Browse, Fruit-birds
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Deer Resistant: None

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

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

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Seed sown in fall.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
Maintenance: Monitor for aphids, Remove dead growth, Prevent complete soil dryness, Fertilize 3 times a year with lawn fertilizer 3:1:2 ratio

Please support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: What is the best fastest growing shade tree for central Texas? Thanks
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: We recently added a deck in our backyard which faces west, we live in Circle C (southwest Austin). The afternoon sun is intense so we're looking to plant something along our fence line to provide shade and privacy. We want something quick growing that will grow tall (20 or so feet) but not wide, since we don't want it to take up valuable yard space, maybe a tree? Also, can you recommend a flowering vine that can grow from the ground and climb to cover our brick patio columns. I'd love something fragrant, but nothing poisonous or that would attract bees.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I live in central Texas and recenty planted Fan-tex ash trees thinking that they were similar to the native Texas ash. I am beginning to beleive that this tree has more in common with the Arizona ash than the Texas Ash. Can you give me some information on this?
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: What are your suggestions for a fast growing native tree that will do well in the clay soils of North Central Austin? I just had a 30 foot hackberry tree fall and would like to restore some shade to my backyard. I am not able to dig a very large hole to plant the tree, so would like to find a tree that either grows fast or has a smaller root ball so I can plant it. Would also like one that provides good shade without killing St. Augustine grass under the canopy.
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:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX

Bibliography

Dale Groom's Texas Gardening Guide (2002) Groom, D.
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
Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.

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