Fraxinus americana (American White Ash) is a deciduous tree that is native to North America. It is found as far north as Nova Scotia in Canada to Florida in the United States. Green leaves in spring and summer turn yellow and almost purple during autumn before dormancy in winter. American White Ash trees are a popular ornamental, street tree, shade and bonsai variety.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Also commonly known as the White Ash, the American Ash and often mistaken as the Pennsylvania Ash.
The American White Ash trees are one of the most commonly grown species on earth with an estimated 4 billion specimens alive today.
Growth
Fraxinus americana grows to an average of 25 metres (82 feet) tall with a width of 15 metres (50 feet). American White Ash trees prefer a deep loamy soil and enjoys a regular feed of nutrients. They are a fast growing tree and suitable for all climates.
The White Ash trees usually have seven leaflets on each leaf and their common name is given due to the pale colour on the underside of the leaves. In Autumn, the leaves turn yellow and then orange before sometimes reaching an almost purplish colour prior to falling during Winter.
FAMILY:
Oleaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-30 to 30°C / -22 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Suitable for many soil types.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 25 metres (82 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 15 metres (49 feet)
pH:
5.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Wind Pollinated.
MATURITY:
10-12 years
GERMINATION RATES:
45-60%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for 12 hours, 4 weeks of warm stratification followed by three months of cold stratification prior to sowing.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 40
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT FRAXINUS AMERICANA (American White Ash)
The wood of American White Ash trees is used to make baseball bats for the major leagues of the United States.
There are an estimated 8 billion Ash trees on earth, most of which are in North America. However, the mistaken introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle into the United States during the 1980s has caused widespread damage. It takes the beetle 3-5 years to kill off a tree and in less than ten years can literally destroy an entire forest of Ash trees. Some estimates of the cost to the United States from the Emerald Ash Borer to be upwards of $US 25 billion over ten years.
The leaves are said to repel rattlesnakes and have been worn on the feet of people travelling in rattlesnake country.
One of the most valuable of the North American timbers, the wood is much used for tool handles, hockey sticks, musical instruments and furniture.
