What is Ash Trees: How to Identify It?

Ash Trees: How to Identify It?

The ash tree, belonging to the Oleaceae family, is a remarkable species that has captivated the human imagination for centuries and can be found in the Northern Hemisphere. Some species in this family are prized for their strong timber and endurance. If you want to know more about this fascinating plant, you are in the right place. In this article, we discuss the ash tree’s physical description and let you know how to identify it from others.

How do we identify ash trees?

It is not difficult to detect ash trees from others by considering some well-known features of ash trees.

Let’s see what are those. When a tree matures, it reaches up to 30 meters in height, and since ash trees grow together, they make a beautiful canopy in a domed shape. In winter, their twig’s color turns black, making them detectable.

Physical features of ash tree

• The height of This tree varies from small to medium; large species grow up to 60-120 feet. 
• Leaves of ash trees are oval with light green colors, which are deciduous and pinnately, including an odd number of leaves, five to eleven.
• The leaves of this plant grow in the direction of the sun. You can see that some ash trees follow the direction of sunlight.
• The tree leaves drop while their color is still green and do not change.
• The flowers of ash trees are small, appearing in clusters, and some have petaled blooms.
• Ash trees are dioecious, which means that the male and female flowers grow on separate trees, although the male and female flowers can grow on the same branch. 
• Purple flowers appear before their leaves in spring, both in males and females. A cluster of flowers grows at the end of the twigs.
• The Ash tree’s samaras fruit has a single seed with winged fruits that fall from the tree in early spring and winter. Fruits become distributed by mammals and birds.
• Ash is a hardwood with a smooth-grained surface. The straight grain and distinctive beige-to-light-brown color make it an excellent choice for luxurious furniture. There is a long history of using it for furniture making, as it is one of the most durable woods.
• In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, lightweight, durable, shock-resistant, and able to absorb wood stains perfectly, the wood is also quite durable. 

Pests & disease of ash tree

Ash trees, like others, are sensitive to pests and diseases such as emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in North America, which are transported during the shipment from eastern Asia. This beetle can lead to the death of large amounts of ash trees.

In the unified kingdom, most ash trees can be affected by a fungus called Chalara fraxinea.

What do you need to know about ash tree planting?

Right location: they should be planted in an area exposed to full sunlight and have enough space for spreading and avoiding damage to any structure surrounding the tree.

Soil requirements: To plant an ash tree, provide soil with a pH between 4 and 7.

A hole for planting an ash tree should be double the width of the root ball and one foot deep.4

After placing the tree, gently fill the hole with soil to avoid damaging the roots. Then, water the tree to make the soil wet.

Pruning: to have a healthy and well-growing ash tree, you must prune the tree properly.

What are the major species of ash trees?

Here are the major species of ash tree that you may want to know:

White Ash (Fraxinus americana): White ash grows in eastern North America and Canada and is one of the most common ash species in the region. 

It has a straight trunk with a rounded crown, and the leaves of it are compound, with 5 to 9, which turn to purplish yellow in autumn. 

This species is known for its strong, dense wood for making furniture, baseball bats, hockey sticks, paddle oars, and more.

1. Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

Green ash is another common species in North America and parts of Canada. It grows up to 50 to 70 feet in height. 

The leaves of the green ash are similar to those of the white ash, with 5 to 9 leaflets, but they are slightly smaller and have a more yellowish-green color. 

Green ash is highly adaptable, can grow in various soil types, and is not sensitive to salt, making it a popular choice for urban areas.

1. European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

The European ash is native to Europe, a large tree growing up to 115 feet tall, with a broad, rounded crown. 

The leaves of the European ash have 7 to 11 leaflets, which are dark green on top and lighter green underneath. 

This species is known for its attractive, grayish bark, warty twigs, and variegated foliage. European ash wood has been used for furniture, flooring, and sports equipment for centuries.

1. Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata)

Blue ash is a rare species native to the Midwest of the United States. It is a medium-sized tree, growing up to 50 to 75 feet. 

It got this name because when its inner bark is in touch with air, its color turns blue. The leaves of the blue ash have 7 to 11 blue-green leaflets. 

The blue ash is resistant to dry conditions, which makes it the best option for planting in streets.

The last words

An ash tree belongs to the Fraxinus genus and has opposite branches with an odd number of leaves.

By reading this article, you can learn how to identify an ash tree with its unique characteristics.

Hope reading this article helps you learn about the ash tree and its well-known species.

Which type of ash tree have you seen in your region? What color are their leaves?  We would be delighted to hear about your experience in the comment section.