White Ash
ExploreTrees
White Ash
Fraxinus americana
The White Ash is a tall tree with bright green leaves. In fall, its leaves can turn a beautiful purple or yellow!
Habitat: Forests and parks
Appearance
The White Ash has distinctive greyish-brown bark with deep, intersecting ridges forming diamond patterns. Its compound leaves have 5-9 oval, dark green leaflets, turning beautiful yellow and purplish tones in autumn. It typically grows a straight trunk and a rounded crown.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyOleaceaeGenusFraxinus
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
Ancient peoples used its bendy wood to craft strong bows for hunting.
Look closely: its bark often has diamond-shaped ridges you can feel.
Most professional baseball bats are made from super-strong White Ash wood!
White Ash leaves are compound, meaning many small leaflets make one big leaf!
Special abilities
Ability
Wind Rider Seeds
White Ash has winged seeds (samaras) that flutter and spin, helping them travel far on the wind to find new places to grow.
Ability
Super-Strong Wood
White Ash can withstand strong winds and impact because it has tough, elastic wood, protecting it from breaking easily.
Ability
Autumn Magic Display
White Ash has special pigments in its leaves that produce stunning yellow and purple colors, signaling colder weather.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-30 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-15 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 50-150 cm
- Lifespan
- 100-250 years
- Fruit Type
- Samara
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Emerald Ash Borer
Agrilus planipennis
larvae burrow under bark, killing the tree
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on young ash twigs and leaves
eats
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
feeds on insect larvae found in ash bark
eaten by
Promethea Silkmoth
Callosamia promethea
caterpillars feed on its leaves
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
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.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
American AshBiltmore Ash
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is White Ash?
15-30 m
How wide does White Ash spread?
10-15 m
Is White Ash edible?
No
How big is White Ash?
50-150 cm
How long does White Ash live?
100-250 years
Where is White Ash usually found?
Forests and parks
What kind of fruit does White Ash produce?
Samara
How fast does White Ash grow?
Medium
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park30 sightings19 species
New York, US
Coindre Hall Park
You might spot Red Maple, Black Tupelo, and Sensitive Fern.
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Park18 sightings3 species
Virginia, US
Olney Park
You might spot Mayapple, White Ash, and Multiflora Rose.
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Park4 sightings3 species
District of Columbia, US
Rock Creek Park
You might spot American Beech, Christmas Fern, and Linden Viburnum.
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