white ash
Fraxinus americana
White ash is a useful hardwood of eastern U.S. forests. The dense, durable wood is used for various products and the winged seeds provide food for wildlife.
Fall
Color.
The durable wood is used to make tool handles, oars, canoe paddles, baseball bats, furniture, antique vehicle parts, snowshoes, cabinets, railroad cars and ties, etc.
Seeds of white ash are eaten by several species of birds. The bark is occasionally food for rabbits, beaver, and porcupine. Cavity excavating and nesting birds often use white ash.
Group selection, seed-tree, clearcut, and shelterwood methods are all conducive to white ash regeneration. White ash responds very well to increased light levels.
ash decline (ash yellows)
Fun facts
White ash is also known a "poor man's oak". It is valued for its wood, which is strong, straight-grained, and fairly light-weight. Juice made from the leaves gives topical relief to mosquito bite swelling and itching.Fraxinus
the Latin name.
americana
of America.
2004 Virginia
Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming
by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen,
Guy Phillips, or Andrew
S. Meeks.
questions, comments, and criticisms: email John.Peterson@vt.edu