Read an Excerpt
Green Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Family: Olive (Oleaceae)
Height: 50-60' (15-18 m)
Tree: single straight trunk with ascending branches and irregular crown
Leaf: compound, 9-16" (22.5-40 cm) long, oppositely attached, made of 5-9 stalked leaflets, each leaflet 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) long, lacking teeth or with a very fine-toothed margin, on a very short leaflet stalk (petiolule), 1⁄8" (.3 cm) long
Bark: brown with deep furrows and narrow interlacing ridges, often appearing diamond-shaped
Fruit: green winged seed (samara), turning brown when mature, 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) in length, mostly round-ended, sometimes notched, in clusters, frequently remaining on tree into winter
Fall Color: yellow
Origin/Age: native, 75-100 years
Habitat: wet soils, along streams, lowland forest, shade
Range: throughout
Stan’s Notes: A widespread ash in Missouri. Also called Red Ash because it was once thought that the Green Ash and Red Ash trees were separate species. These are now considered one species. Not as water tolerant as the Black Ash (pg. 193), but able to survive with its roots under water for several weeks early in spring. Often has a large unattractive growth (insect gall) at the ends of small branches that persists on the tree throughout the year. The strong white-colored wood is used to make baseball bats, tennis racquets, skis and snowshoes.