A catalog of Native North American Plants: Fraxinus americana

Fraxinus americana

Common name: White ash

Is a large, deciduous shade tree that can attain 100 feet in height and 75 feet in width. American ash, is a species of ash tree native to eastern and central North America. The leaves are opposite, one- pinnately compound leaves which have five, seven or nine leaflets. The lower sides of the leaves of white ash are lighter in color than their upper sides, and the outer surface of the twigs of white ash may be flaky or peeling. The bark is deeply longitudinally furrowed, the furrows intersect to form y’s. Flowering is from March – May.

Green ash leaves are similar in color on upper and lower sides, and twigs are smoother. White Ash leaves turn yellow or red in Autumn. Despite some overlap, the two species tend to grow in different locations as well; white ash is a forest tree that commonly occurs alongside sugar maple. White ash is one of the most used trees for everyday purposes, the wood is used in making guitars, baseball bats, furniture etc.

 Dye Colors: Yellow, Brown