White ash

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Fraxinus americana
WHITE ASH

Oleaceae
E. North America

Location: map coordinates K-3 (west of Retention Pond; south of Woodland Trail entrance), N 39°11'13'' W 75°32'48''

Planting history: probably planted with new Loop Road ca 2000. Source probably (Terrain at) Styers (nursery), PA.

Description:
  • medium-sized deciduous tree; 80’ tall (rarely 115’)
  • etymology: Fraxinus = the Latin name; americana = American
  • leaves pinnately compound (5-9 leaflets), opposite; leaf underside paler than green ash. Fall foliage mixture of beautiful colors including purplish, reddish-brown
  • flowers inconspicuous; dioecious (separate male and female trees)
  • fruit = samara (dry, winged achene), in clusters
  • leaf scar deeply notched
  • wood strong; used for oars, wagon wheels, sports equipment (most famously baseball bats), firewood
  • habitat uplands; the most common native ash in North America

Native species, State Ranks: S4 (common, but not very common) in New Castle County, and State Rank S1 (extremely rare, and of conservation concern) on the coastal plain

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