Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Green
Size Class: 36-72 ft.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , HI , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
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: Dry , Moist
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

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Diagnosis of problems with Texas ash
June 07, 2006
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 close...
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ

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:

Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Longwood Gardens - Newark, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 291 - 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