Latin name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Common name: green ash

Abbr: Fpe

Taxonomy: Oleaceae/Oleeae/Fraxinus

References: NCBI:txid56044

Level: Chromosome

Chromosome number: 2n=2X=46

Genome size: 756.8Mb

Introduction: Fraxinus pennsylvanica, commonly called green ash, has the largest growing range of any of the native ashes, extending from Nova Scotia to Alberta south to Florida and Texas. This is a lowland species that is commonly found throughout the State of Missouri in low woods, floodplains and along streams, ponds and sloughs (Steyermark). It is a medium sized tree, typically growing 50-70’ tall. Young trees are pyramidal in shape, gradually maturing to a more rounded but usually irregular crown. Green ash is similar in appearance to white ash (see Fraxinus americana), except, inter alia, (a) flowers appear after the foliage emerges, (b) leaflet undersides are green, (c) leaflets are toothed from midleaf to tip and (d) leaflet stalks are winged. Green ash is primarily dioecious (separate male and female trees). Clusters of apetalous purplish male and female flowers appear on separate trees in April-May after the foliage emerges. Fertilized female flowers give way to drooping clusters of winged samaras (to 2” long) that ripen in fall and may persist on the tree throughout winter. Features odd-pinnate compound leaves, each with 5-9 leaflets. Oval to oblong-lanceolate leaflets (3-4” long) are medium green above and below. Foliage turns yellow in fall, with the quality of the fall color often varying considerably from year to year. Gray-brown bark develops distinctive diamond-shaped ridging on mature trees. As with white ash, the wood of green ash is commercially used for a variety of products including tool handles, oars, garden furniture and sports equipment.

Culture: Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers consistently moist, humusy loams, but established trees demonstrate adaptibility to a wide range of soils and growing conditions. Female trees produce abundant seed crops in some years, and may freely self-seed.

Height: 50.00 to 70.00 feet

Spread: 35.00 to 50.00 feet

Bloom Time: April to May

Bloom Description: Purple

Sun: Full sun

Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Street Tree

Literature: A high-quality reference genome for Fraxinus pennsylvanica for ash species restoration and research

Information sources: PlantFinder