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Native Plant Database

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Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green ash)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.

Green ash, Red ash

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

Synonyms: Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. lanceolata

USDA Symbol: frpe

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Softly pyramidal in youth, this 50-75 ft., deciduous tree, develops an upright, spreading habit at maturity. Crown shape ranges from irregular and somewhat unsightly to a symetrical, round-topped silhouette. Leaves up to 8 or more inches long, divided into 5 to 9 1eaflets with smooth to slightly toothed margins and pointed tips. Deep-green summer foliage turns yellow in fall. Flowers small, in clusters, male and female on separate trees. Fruits in conspicuous clusters, dry, winged, resembling a paddle with a rounded or pointed blade, wing extending alongside the seed halfway or more to the base.

The most widespread native ash, this species extends westward into the plains and nearly to the Rocky Mountains. A northeastern variation with twigs, leafstalks, and underleaf surfaces all densely covered with hairs has been called Red Ash. One of the most successful hardwoods in the Great Plains shelterbelts, hardy, fast-growing Green Ash is also planted on spoil banks after strip mining, as well as for shade.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf: Yellow-Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Green
Size Class: 36-72 ft.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WI , WV , WY
Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: N.S. to Sask. & e. MT, s. to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Open woodlands, Stream, river banks, Swamps, Ditches, Ravines, Depressions
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, fertile, sandy to loamy soils. Acid-based, Sandy Limestone-based, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Shade tree, Fall conspicuous, Fast growing
Use Wildlife: Cover, Nesting site, Fruit-birds, Browse.
Use Other: Red ash bark produces a red dye, and the wood ashes are a source of potash. (Kershaw)
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Two-tailed tiger swallowtail, Tiger swallow-tail, Orange sulphur, Cloudless giant sulphur, Mourning Cloak.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Fraxinus pennsylvanica is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
(Papilio glaucus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Orange Sulphur
(Colias eurytheme)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Giant Sulphur
(Colias gigantea)
Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Mourning Cloak
(Nymphalis antiopa)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagate by pretreated seed.
Seed Treatment: Seeds require warm-moist stratification for 60 days, followed by 120 days at 32-41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

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

American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

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:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX

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 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1998 VOL. 15, NO.1 - Potentials and Challenges Designing with Native Plants, Announcement of Wildflow...

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-08-31
Research By: NPC

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