NPIN: Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green ash)

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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, Texas 78739

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

7 photo(s) available in the gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Fruit Type: Samara
Leaf Color: Yellow-Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Color: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , Purple , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WV , WI , WY , DC
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: Wet , Moist , Dry
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
PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green ash) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

Quercus acutissima (sawtooth oak)
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
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store
Bibliography
A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
A 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 Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, R. A.

Search More Titles in Bibliography
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

Contact Information

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, Texas 78739

Information: (512) 232-0100
Administration: (512) 232-0200
Fax: (512) 232-0156
Gift Store: (512) 232-0131