Is It An Is It An Ash Tree?Ash Tree?

Ohio State University Ohio State University ExtensionExtension

Is It an Ash Tree?Is It an Ash Tree?• Plants in the genus Plants in the genus FraxinusFraxinus . .

• Compound leaves that are arranged Compound leaves that are arranged oppositeopposite on the stems.on the stems.

• Leaves are odd-pinnately compound.Leaves are odd-pinnately compound.

Odd-pinnately Odd-pinnately compound compound leavesleaves

Opposite leaf Opposite leaf and branch and branch arrangementarrangement

Is It an Ash Tree?Is It an Ash Tree?

Ash flowers are not Ash flowers are not ornamental and occur before ornamental and occur before the leaves expand, usually in the leaves expand, usually in April.April.

Ash seeds are called “samaras” Ash seeds are called “samaras” and are winged seeds that are and are winged seeds that are distributed by wind. Samaras are distributed by wind. Samaras are one-to-two inches in length.one-to-two inches in length.

Is It an Ash Tree?Is It an Ash Tree?

White ashWhite ash leaf leaf scar is scar is horseshoe-horseshoe-shaped and the shaped and the bud “sits” in the bud “sits” in the leaf scar.leaf scar.

Green ashGreen ash leaf scar is D- leaf scar is D-shaped, with bud above the shaped, with bud above the scar.scar.

Blue ashBlue ash buds; buds; square stem. square stem.

Black ashBlack ash has black buds. has black buds.

White Ash – White Ash – Fraxinus americanaFraxinus americana

White ashWhite ash leaf leaf scar is scar is horseshoe-horseshoe-shaped and the shaped and the bud “sits” in the bud “sits” in the leaf scar.leaf scar.

Cultivars of White Ash:Cultivars of White Ash:

• Autumn Applause (M)Autumn Applause (M)

• Autumn Purple (M)Autumn Purple (M)

• Rosehill (MRosehill (M))

• SkylineSkyline

At maturity:At maturity: Height: 50-80 feet Height: 50-80 feet

Leaves:Leaves: 5-9 leaflets, 5-9 leaflets, with entire margins or with entire margins or some slight serration.some slight serration.

Green Ash – Green Ash – Fraxinus Fraxinus pennsylvanicapennsylvanica

Green ashGreen ash leaf scar is D-shaped, leaf scar is D-shaped, with bud above the scar.with bud above the scar.

Cultivars of green ash:Cultivars of green ash:

• CimmaronCimmaron

• EmeraldEmerald

• Marshall’s Seedless (M)Marshall’s Seedless (M)

• Patmore (M)Patmore (M)

• SummitSummit

At maturity:At maturity: Height: 60 feetHeight: 60 feet

Leaves:Leaves: 5-9 leaflets with 5-9 leaflets with serrated marginsserrated margins

Blue Ash Blue Ash Fraxinus quadrangulataFraxinus quadrangulata

Blue ashBlue ash buds; square stem. buds; square stem.

More common in western More common in western Ohio.Ohio.

One cultivar: True Blue.One cultivar: True Blue.

Black ashBlack ash has black buds. has black buds.

Not a common ornamental.Not a common ornamental.

Black Ash Black Ash Fraxinus nigraFraxinus nigra

European MountainashEuropean Mountainash• Alternate buds and Alternate buds and branching.branching.

• Odd-pinnately compound Odd-pinnately compound leaf, 9-15 leaflets.leaf, 9-15 leaflets.

• This plant is This plant is SorbusSorbusaucuparia aucuparia and is not in the and is not in the FraxinusFraxinus genus. genus.

Boxelder or “Ash-leaf Maple”Boxelder or “Ash-leaf Maple”

Leaf scars encircle Leaf scars encircle twig and meet at a twig and meet at a sharp angle; buds sharp angle; buds red or green and red or green and pubescent.pubescent.

Leaves with 3 to 5 Leaves with 3 to 5 leaflets; coarsely leaflets; coarsely serrate, serrate, sometimes with a sometimes with a lobed terminal lobed terminal leaflet.leaflet.

Paul Wray, Iowa State University

AuthorAuthor

Jane C. Martin, OSU Extension, Franklin CountyJane C. Martin, OSU Extension, Franklin County

This slide set is part of the Master Gardener Emerald Ash This slide set is part of the Master Gardener Emerald Ash Borer Specialization Program and is used in conjunction Borer Specialization Program and is used in conjunction

with presentations about this exotic insect pest.with presentations about this exotic insect pest.

Photo CreditsPhoto Credits

Jane C. Martin, OSU Extension, Franklin County.Jane C. Martin, OSU Extension, Franklin County.

Ohio State University Extension. Ohio State University Extension.

Daniel A. Herms, Department of Entomology, OSU/OARDC and OSU Daniel A. Herms, Department of Entomology, OSU/OARDC and OSU Extension.Extension.

Joe F. Boggs, OSU Extension, Hamilton County and South Center Joe F. Boggs, OSU Extension, Hamilton County and South Center Horticulture Specialist. Horticulture Specialist.

Curtis E. Young, OSU Extension, Allen County.Curtis E. Young, OSU Extension, Allen County.

Ohio Public Library Information Network .Ohio Public Library Information Network .

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.

Amy K. Stone, OSU Extension, Lucas County.Amy K. Stone, OSU Extension, Lucas County.

OSU Plantfacts Images, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.OSU Plantfacts Images, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.

U.S. Forest Service.U.S. Forest Service.

This presentation is copyrighted; however, it may be used by those outside This presentation is copyrighted; however, it may be used by those outside the University for educational purposes, providing the source is credited.the University for educational purposes, providing the source is credited.

Copyright © 2004, The Ohio State UniversityCopyright © 2004, The Ohio State University