Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

The Green Ash tree is known for its bright green leaves and strong branches. It can survive in many different places!

Habitat: Wetlands and floodplains

Appearance

The Green Ash is a medium to large deciduous tree with an upright, oval crown. It has deeply furrowed gray-brown bark and compound leaves with 5-9 ovate leaflets that turn bright yellow in fall. Its distinguishing feature is its bright green leaves and often slightly hairy twigs.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyOleaceaeGenusFraxinus

Green Ash

Interesting facts

Before saws, Native Americans used ash wood to make bows, because it's so flexible!

Green Ash is one of the most common trees planted in many cities across North America!

Its scientific name, Fraxinus, means 'ash tree' in Latin, linking to its strong wood!

Tiny emerald ash borer beetles can sadly wipe out entire forests of ash trees!

Special abilities

Green Ash can survive in soggy soils because its roots tolerate low oxygen, helping it thrive near rivers and wetlands.

Green Ash can quickly establish itself in new areas thanks to its rapid growth rate, making it a pioneer tree.

Green Ash has winged seeds called samaras that twirl like tiny helicopters, helping them travel far on the wind to new spots.

Measurements & details

Height: 15-25 m
Canopy Spread: 10-15 m
Edible: No
Trunk Diameter: 30-90 cm
Lifespan: 70-120 years
Fruit Type: Samara
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

parasitizes

Emerald Ash Borer

Agrilus planipennis

Larvae tunnel under bark

eats

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Consumes its winged seeds

eats

Elk

Cervus canadensis

Browses on twigs and foliage

shelters

Black-throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Nests and forages in its branches

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Fruit Bearing

Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.