Description
Fraxinus americana, commonly called white ash, is native to eastern North America.
Fraxinus americana is a species of ash tree native to eastern and central North America. It is found in mesophytic hardwood forests from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota, south to northern Florida, and southwest to eastern Texas.
Plant Specifications
| Common Name | white ash, American ash, Canadian ash, American white ash |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 60.00 to 80.00 feet |
| Flower Colour | light green to purplish |
| Bloom Time | April to May |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Fraxinus americana care
Fraxinus americana is a fine timber tree up to about 30 m in height, with a long, straight trunk and a rounded crown at maturity. The bark is dark grey with a uniform diamond-shaped ridge and furrow pattern.
The leaves are deciduous, dropping in the autumn. They occur in opposite pairs, each leaf divided into seven or nine (rarely five) leaflets. The leaflets are dark green above and usually appear white beneath due to a waxy coating.
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 34 C |
| Fertilizer | apply any organic fertilizer |
Fraxinus americana special feature
Planting new ash trees is no longer recommended given the susceptibility of this tree to the emerald ash borer.
Fraxinus americana uses
Ornamental Use:
- White ash is planted as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens
- Cultivars such as Fraxinus americana, ,Autumn Purple, provide a variety of autumn leaf colours
Medicinal Use:
- The bark is astringent, emmenagogue and a bitter tonic
- An infusion is used to promote menstruation
- It has also been used as a wash to treat skin sores, itches and vermin on the scalp