Green Ash

by Scott Wisness

This picture provided by : http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/partners/maswcd/Rock/greenash.htm

Common Name: Green Ash

Family Name: Oleaceae

Genus: Fraxinus

Species: pennsylvanica

If you're looking for a good shade tree to put in your yard, I would recommend a Green Ash. It is a medium sized deciduous tree with a round top. Its crown is open and irregular. It can grow to be approximatey fifty to seventy feet tall. Once it is estabished, it is extremely hardy to climatic extremes. It grows well here in North Dakota.

Green Ash has opposite, pinnately compound leaves. It has 7 to 9 serrate leaflates which are elliptical. Leaves on Green Ash trees are six to nine inches long. It has flowers that are Dioecious, neither sex has flowers. Flowers appear after leaves unfold. It does contain fruits which are eaten by squirrels and deer. The fruits are winged seeds, or sumaras. The fruit matures in early fall or late winter. Its twig is gray to greenish brown in color. Its bark is ashy gray to brown in color.

Opposite, pinnately compound, eliptical leaves that are six to nine inches long.   This image provided by: http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/fpennsylvanica

The Green Ash can have many different uses. It can be used as a windbreak tree. Although the lower branches could reduce effectiveness. It can also be used for wildlife. The sumaras are eaten by birds and animals. The twigs and foliage are browsed by deer. They can also be of great use in recreation and beautification. It is used greatly as a shade tree. But it is also used for ornamental purposes.

American Elms have been used mainly in this area for a shade tree. American Elm trees are majestic and beautiful, but Dutch Elm Disease has become a problem for them. Green ashes are a good aternative. They are beautiful in their own right. I have seen many Green Ash trees in North Dakota and their number is growing. A Green Ash is a good, winter hardy tree that is drought and alkali resistant. If you're looking to put a shade tree in your lawn that would add character, I would recommend a Green Ash.

http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov:90/pmc/trees/frpe.html

http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/woodhtml/GreenAsh.html

http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/fpennsylvanica.htm

http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/partners/maswcd/Rock/greenash.htm