
What is a green ash tree?
Green ash ( Fraxinus pennsylvanica ), also called red ash, swamp ash, and water ash is the most widely distributed of all the American ashes. Naturally a moist bottomland or stream bank tree, it is hardy to climatic extremes and has been widely planted in the Plains states and Canada.
What is the difference between green ash and emerald ash?
Green ash is a transcontinental species, rating from Nova Scotia to Alberta and south to Florida and Texas. It is not recommended to plant any green ash. Emerald ash borer is native to Asia and was first discovered in the U.S. in 2002.
Can you buy green ash seeds?
Because of green ash restrictions and the possibility of carrying infestations, seedlings are now not commonly sold in nurseries. It's still possible to buy the seeds as they won't be carriers or ash borer disease. Green ash trees are closely related to white ash and can be easily confused.
What is the physiological maturity of green ash seeds?
Physiological maturity of green ash seeds can be related to a fully elongated embryo that fills the entire embryonic cavity. When ripe, the embryo should be about 10 min (0.4 in) long and slightly less than I mm (0.04 in) in diameter. Mature embryos have firm, white tissues that break crisply.

What is a green ash scientific name?
Fraxinus pennsylvanicaGreen Ash / Scientific name
Why is green ash called green ash?
The green ash genus name, Fraxinus, is from the Latin name for the Old World ash species. Green ash has a very large native range that extends through central and eastern North America. Although green ash is most abundant in the Mississippi River Valley, a 95-foot national champion is in Michigan.
What is green ash used for?
Green ash's durable wood is marketed and used similarly to white ash. Green ash is used for tool handles, baseball bats, rough lumber, pulpwood, veneer, crates, boxes, etc. Green ash woodlands are especially important for wildlife communities in the northern Great Plains. Seeds are eaten by a variety of species.
What type of leaf is a green ash?
pinnately compound leavesGreen ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is one of our most adaptable native trees. Green ash is characterized by having opposite, pinnately compound leaves with 5 to 9 leaflets (usually 7). The leaves are 10 to 12 inches in length with individual leaflets 2 to 6 inches long.
Is green ash poisonous?
Allergies/Toxicity: Ash in the Fraxinus genus has been reported to cause skin irritation, and a decrease in lung function.
What animal eats green ash?
The foliage and twigs of Green Ash are palatable to several hoofed herbivorous mammals: this includes deer, cattle, horses, and sheep. Rabbits eat the foliage of young saplings, while the beaver uses the wood as a food source.
Is green ash a hardwood or softwood?
hardwoodGreen ash is one of the most common bottomland hardwood species found in the Upper Mississippi River region. It is found in bottomland hardwood stands with red maple, silver maple, sugarberry, eastern cottonwood, black willow, American elm, and a variety of bottomland species.
Does green ash make good lumber?
Ash is a great species of lumber to work with. Ash is known for its staining potential and ability to mimic oak. It has great shock resistance, and solid workability. To this point, it has been an economical wood that was always readily available.
Where does green ash grow?
The green ash grows well in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. It prefers wet soil conditions but has slight drought tolerance.
What is the fruit type of green ash?
samaraSeed collection: Green ash fruit is a samara. They appear as clusters of fruit near the ends of the branches. Harvest the fruit in the fall into winter after the fruit turns from green to tan.
How can you tell a green ash tree?
Green ash trees will reach a height of about 60 feet with a spread of 45 feet. Upright main branches bear twigs which droop toward the ground before bending upward at their tips much like basswood. The glossy dark green foliage will turn yellow in the fall, but the color is often muted in southern regions.
How can you tell the difference between white and green ash?
One can easily distinguish green ash from white ash by just looking at the leaves. The green ash leaves are smaller than white ash leaves. The difference is noticeable in the leaf scars. The leaves of white ash leave a U- shaped scar where as the leaves of green ash leaves as D '“shaped scar.
Can ash be burned green?
Ash creates a steady flame and a good heat output. Unlike other wood, ash can be burnt when green, but like with most wood burns at it's very best when it is dry. Ash tends to have very low moisture content when alive, which is the main reason why you can burn it when it is green.
Does green ash make good lumber?
Ash is a great species of lumber to work with. Ash is known for its staining potential and ability to mimic oak. It has great shock resistance, and solid workability. To this point, it has been an economical wood that was always readily available.
Is green ash native to Ontario?
Where it is found. Green ash trees grow across southern and central Ontario, as far north as the Ontario-Minnesota border and the north coast of Georgian Bay, east to the North Bay region.
Where does green ash come from?
Green ash is a transcontinental species, rating from Nova Scotia to Alberta and south to Florida and Texas.
How tall is green ash?
Once widely used as a replacement for the American elm after Dutch Elm Disease decimated the species, it now is facing the same fate. The green ash can reach heights of 40' to 60' tall and diameters of up to 24". It has a round-topped canopy with slender spreading branches. Its bark is brown with deep furrows and narrow interlacing ridges that have a diamond appearance. Leaves grow oppositely on the stem, leaves can be10" to 12" in length. They are pinnately compound with seven to nine stalked leaflets, they are pointed and have a slight serration on their margin. They will be bright green or yellowish-green on both sides in the summer and then turn yellow in autumn. Seeds are flat, winged samara that will be 1" to 2" long. This winged portion extends well down past the middle or seed-bearing part which is slightly notched at the outer end and the wing has a somewhat square appearance.
Where is the green ash native to?
Fraxinus pennsylvanica, the green ash or red ash, is a species of ash native to eastern and central North America, from Nova Scotia west to southeastern Alberta and eastern Colorado, south to northern Florida, and southwest to Oklahoma and eastern Texas. It has spread and become naturalized in much of the western United States ...
What is the name of the ash plant?
It is sometimes divided into two varieties, Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. pennsylvanica (red ash) and Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. lanceolata (Borkh.) Sarg. (syn. var. subintegerrima (Vahl) Fern.; green ash) on the basis of the hairless leaves with narrower leaflets of the latter, but the two intergrade completely, and the distinction is no longer upheld by most botanists.
What is the use of ash in parks?
Injections and spraying of ashes with pesticides has been used in city parks to protect valued trees from emerald ash borer. Record cold temperatures during the winter of 2018–19 are estimated to have killed as much as 80% of ash borer larva in the Upper Midwest.
Why spray ash with pesticides?
Injections and spraying of ashes with pesticides has been used in city parks to protect valued trees from emerald ash borer.
Why are ash trees so popular in Michigan?
Both American elm and green ash were extremely popular due to rapid growth and tolerance of urban pollution and road salt, so many housing developments in Michigan were lined from end to end with ashes, a result of which the beetles had an enormous food supply to boost their population well above Infestation thresholds. The tree was also extensively propagated and sold by local nurseries. According to the American Nursery Industry, "Back in the late 1980s, Dr. Frank Santamour Jr., then a research geneticist with the U.S. National Arboretum, proposed the 10-20-30 formula for diversity in the urban forest, limiting the plantings in a community to no more than 10 percent within a single species, 20 percent within a genus and 30 percent within a family." Many communities are using a more strict 5-10-20 rule today, because of the threat posed by emerald ash borer.
What is the difference between green ash and white ash?
americana) by its D-shaped leaf scars. In F. americana, the lateral buds are more deeply recessed within their corresponding leaf scars, giving the latter a more C-shaped appearance.
What is the habitat of green ash?
The natural habitat of green ash is almost exclusively stream sides and bottomlands. The large seed crops provide food to many kinds of wildlife. Green ash is threatened by the emerald ash borer, a beetle introduced accidentally from Asia.
What does ash look like?
When stained, ash can look very similar to oak (Quercus spp.), although oaks have much wider rays, which are visible on all wood surfaces—even on flatsawn surfaces, where they appear as short, thin brown lines between the growth rings. Ashes lack these conspicuous rays.
What is the cause of the death of ash trees?
The beetles’ larvae bore into a tree and feed on the inner bark, eventually killing the entire tree. The insects are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions of ash trees across the United States and Canada. Green Ash and Black Ash trees are preferentially attacked by the insects, followed by White Ash and Blue Ash.
What is the name of the tree that is attacked by insects?
Green Ash and Black Ash trees are preferentially attacked by the insects, followed by White Ash and Blue Ash. Green Ash is one of a handful of species in the Fraxinus genus that are used as commercial lumber.
What are ash borers used for?
Common Uses: Flooring, millwork, boxes/crates, baseball bats, and other turned objects such as tool handles. Comments: The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), believed to have been inadvertently introduced from Asia sometime in the 1990s, was first detected in Michigan in 2002.
Is Ash a utility hardwood?
Pricing/Availability: Ash is among the least expensive utility hardwoods available domestically; it should compare similarly to oak in terms of price. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List.
Does ash cause allergies?
Allergies/Toxicity: Ash in the Fraxinus genus has been reported to cause skin irritation, and a decrease in lung function. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Where is green ash found?
Green ash has a very large native range that extends through central and eastern North America. Although green ash is most abundant in the Mississippi River Valley, a 95-foot national champion is in Michigan. Green ash is often planted in spoil banks after strip mining has been completed.
Where does the green ash tree come from?
The green ash genus name, Fraxinus, is from the Latin name for the Old World ash species. Green ash has a very large native range that extends through central and eastern North America.
Why is ash yellow in Kentucky?
Because its wood is brittle, corrective pruning may also be necessary to repair wind and ice damage. Lilac borers and scale insects can cause significant damage. Ash yellows is occasionally a problem in Kentucky. Other potential problems include leaf spots, cankers, ash flower gall and fall webworm.
Why is green ash the most commonly planted ash?
Introduction: Green ash is the most commonly planted ash because of its ability to tolerate a very wide range of growing conditions. If cultivated varieties are used, the problems of germinated weedy seeds and unreliable fall color can be overcome. The large ash leaf is divided into leaflets along a central stem and this structure creates an airy look and pleasant shade.
What is green ash used for?
The wood of green ash is used for baseball bats, tennis rackets, tool handles, oars and picture frames. Male flowers of green ash are susceptible to a gall-forming mite that produces large brown galls that are often mistaken for seeds. These galls persist in the winter and can be unsightly, but they do not harm the tree.
How many leaflets does a green ash tree have?
Leaf: Green ash has a large leaf up to 12 inches long with five to nine leaflets. Leaves are medium to dark green and become yellow in fall.
How tall does a green ash tree grow?
Pyramidal habit in young trees becomes more oval with age. Tree size: Green ash is a fast-growing tree, reaching 50 to 60 feet tall at maturity. Spread is about one-half the height.
Where does green ash come from?
Common name (s): Green ash. Family: Oleaceae. USDA hardiness zones: 3A through 9A (Figure 2) Origin: native to the eastern half of the United States, stretch ing as far northwest as Alberta, Canada, and as far northeast as Nova Scotia, Canada. UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: native.
How tall is a green ash tree?
The somewhat irregularly-shaped tree when young becoming an oval with age, green ash will reach a height of about 70 feet with a spread of 45 feet. Upright main branches bear twigs which droop toward the ground then bend upward at their tips much like Basswood. This usually does not interfere with traffic flow beneath the tree since branches do not ...
What is the pest that eats ash?
Pests. Borers are common on ash and they can kill trees. The most common borers infesting ash are ash borer, lilac borer and carpenterworm. Ash borer burrow into the trunk at or near the soil line causing tree dieback. Lilac borer causes swellings on the trunk and limbs where the insect enters the tree.
Why do I have spots on my ash tree?
A number of fungi cause leaf spots on Ash. The disease is worse in wet years and is partially controlled by gathering and disposing of diseased, fallen leaves.
What do green ash leaves look like in fall?
Their green leaves also provide interest in the fall when they turn bright yellow. The leaves on green ash trees are large, and the central stem has numerous lance-shaped leaflets that mean this tree is perfect if you have a sunny garden and you want to create a shady spot.
Where does green ash prefer to be positioned?
Green ash prefers to be positioned in a location where they get plenty of sun.
Why are green ash trees so popular?
But the reason they have become so popular and, arguably, overplanted is because of their ability to grow in a wide range of conditions.
What is Marshall's seedless?
Marshall's Seedless: This is considered the most popular of all the cultivars. It's a seedless variety, isn't as prone to insect problems, and its foliage is known for being strikingly bright yellow in the fall.
Is it illegal to grow ash borer from cuttings?
However, given the devastating impact of emerald ash borer, growing from cuttings or seeds is no longer recommended in many areas and could potentially even be illegal. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova.
Can you buy ash seedlings?
Because of green ash restrictions and the possibility of carrying infestations, seedlings are now not commonly sold in nurseries. It's still possible to buy the seeds as they won't be carriers or ash borer disease.
Can you plant green ash trees?
Because of EAB, purposefully planting new green ash trees is generally not recommended and is even banned in some regions. You should check your state's regulations, and, even if there are no restrictions on growth, think carefully before you introduce a new green ash to your area. It may end up being subject to removal and could spread ...
What is green ash?
Green ash is an integral part of the forest cover type Sugarberry-American Elm-Green Ash (Society of American Foresters Type 93) and is an associated species in the following types (22):
Where is green ash found?
Green ash extends from Cape Breton Island and Nova Scotia west to southeastern Alberta; south through central Montana, northeastern Wyoming, to southeastern Texas; and east to northwestern Florida and Georgia.
What is the most widely distributed ash tree?
Harvey E. Kennedy, Jr. Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), also called red ash, swamp ash, and water ash, is the most widely distributed of all the American ashes. Naturally a moist bottom land or stream bank tree, it is hardy to climatic extremes and has been widely planted in the Plains States and Canada.
What type of soil does green ash grow in?
Like most trees, green ash grows best on fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It is probably the most adaptable of all the ashes, growing naturally on a range of sites from clay soils subject to frequent flooding and overflow to sandy or silty soils where the amount of available moisture may be limited (24).
How fast does green ash grow?
These soils usually are highly acidic. Survival generally has been high, but annual growth rates of only about 0.3 m (1 ft) have been reported. Studies in Arkansas on sandy loam soils with pH ranging from 5.0 to 5.4 have shown excellent survival and growth rates of 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 ft) per year.
When do ash samaras mature?
Within a month after pollination, the samaras developing from fertilized flowers reach mature size. Ash fruits are elongated, winged, single-seeded samaras borne in clusters. Unpollinated flowers or flowers pollinated by an incompatible ash species drop off within the first month. Growth and ripening of embryos lag behind growth of samaras and are not completed until late September or early October.
What is the average temperature of green ash?
The climate within the range of green ash is subhumid to humid, with the following ranges: Annual precipitation from 380 to 1520 mm (15 to 60 in), warm season precipitation from 250 to 890 mm (10 to 35 in); average January temperature of -18° to 13° C (0° to 55° F); average July temperature of 18° to 27° C (65° to 80° F); snowfall from 0 to 254 cm (0 to 100 in); average length of frost-free season 120 to 280 days.
What zone does green ash grow in?
The green ash can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 2–9. View Map
What birds eat green ash?
The seeds of the green ash are eaten by wood ducks, finches and cardinals. It also provides cover and nesting sites for birds.

Specifics of The Green Ash
- Scientific name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica
- Pronunciation:FRACK-sih-nus pen-sill-VAN-ih-kuh
- Common name(s): Green Ash
- Family: Oleaceae
- Scientific name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica
- Pronunciation:FRACK-sih-nus pen-sill-VAN-ih-kuh
- Common name(s): Green Ash
- Family: Oleaceae
Description
- Leaf:The leaves are described as "opposite, pinnately compound," meaning they're divided into smaller leaflets on either side of a central stalk. Each section contains 7 to 9 serrate (tooth-edged) leaflets that are lanceolate (shaped like a lance or narrow oval with pointy ends) to elliptical in shape. The entire leaf is 6 to 9 inches long, green above, and anywhere from smooth to slightly d…
Flower and Fruit
- Flower:Dioecious (male and female reproductive organs are located in separate individuals); light green to purplish, both sexes lacking petals, females occurring in loose clusters, males in tighter clusters. Flowers appear after the leaves unfold. Fruit:A single-winged, dry, flattened samara (winged seed capsule) with a slender, thin seed cavity, maturing in autumn and dispersing over …
Special Uses
- Green ash wood, because of its strength, hardness, high shock resistance, and excellent bending qualities, is used in specialty items such as tool handles and baseball bats, but is not as desirable as white ash. It is also a favorite tree used in city and yard landscapes.
Several Green Ash Hybrids
- "Marshall Seedless" has some seeds, yellow fall color, fewer insect problems. "Patmore" is an excellent street tree, straight trunk, good yellow fall color, seedless. "Summit" is female, yellow fall color, straight trunk but pruning required to develop strong structure, abundant seeds, and flower galls can be a nuisance. "Cimmaron" is a new plant (USDA hardiness zone 3) reported to have a …
Damaging Pests
- Borers: Common on ash and they can kill trees. The most common ones are ash borer, lilac borer, and carpenter worm. Ash borer bores into the trunk at or near the soil line causing tree dieback. The emerald ash borer has already killed countless trees in North America. According to Natural Resources Canada, "No North American natural predators, such as woodpeckers, other insects o…
The Most Widely Distributed
- Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), also called red ash, swamp ash, and water ash is the most widely distributed of all the American ashes. Naturally a moist bottomland or stream bank tree, it is hardy to climatic extremes and has been widely planted in the Plains states and Canada. The commercial supply is mostly in the South. Green ash is similar in property to white ash and they …