This native medium-to-large-sized tree has a straight trunk with gray variably patterned bark (B). The winter twigs have rounded terminal buds and crescent-shaped leaf scars (C). The leaves are opposite and up to 12 inches long, consisting of 7 or 9 lance-shaped leaflets on stalks 1/4 inch or longer (A,G). The leaves are whitish below; they turn either yellow or purple in the fall (H). Male and female flowers are on separate trees (D-male). The fruit, a samara appears in dense clusters by May (E,F) and turns brown by June. In comparison, Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) has leaflets paler below but not whitish and its leaflet stalks are less than 1/4 inch long. Its leaves turn only yellow in the fall. Its samaras have longer “wings” and a flatter seed.
Grows mostly in upland woods and ravines, flowering in April and May. In Fontenelle Forest, uncommon on Riverview Boardwalk. At Neale Woods, uncommon along Hilltop Trail.
Young ash trees were used by early explorers and settlers to make and replace oars, axe handles and other hand tools. White Ash is still use in making baseball bats.
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