42 



ARBORICULTURE 



The Ash Tree 



The Ash family is noted for the eco- 

 nomic value of their wood. With the 

 exception of the European Mountain 

 Ash, the beautiful clusters of red berries 

 of which are attractive, the Ash is not a 

 specially desirable tree for ornament. 

 Its flowers are small and without beauty. 

 In botanical language the flowers are in- 

 conspicuous. 



The foliage is of good color, and 

 makes a good shade. 



But as timber trees this family Frax- 

 inus hold a high value. 



The White Ash, Fraxinus Americana, 

 is noted for the whiteness of its wood, 

 making excellent lumber for furniture 

 and numerous uses. 



Having great strength combined with 

 lightness, it is prized for makng agrcul- 

 tural implements, handles of various 

 tools, etc. 



This tree prefers rich land, well 

 drained, yet not too rough or steep. It 

 grows rapidly when in good soil, having 

 sufficient water and not too closely 

 crowded. 



The wood of Blue Ash has a blueish 

 cast. The young branches are square, 

 hence the name F. qiiadrangiilata. 



The quality of the wood is also excel- 

 lent, and is used for the same purposes as 

 the white ash. 



BLACK ASH. 



F. Sambticifolia is of greater value for 

 making hoops and basket splits, as the 

 wood is pliable, tough, and may be split 

 into layers. It grows on flat land, in 

 swampy locations, requiring much water. 



There are several other varieties of 

 Ash, but above are the principal kinds 

 used for lumber. 



Much of the cheaper grades of furni- 

 ture are made from Ash, but it is becom- 

 ing quite scarce in the market. 



In the West some varieties of the Ash 

 are planted for shade and for timber, and 

 with considerable success. Although at 

 times before the newly planted trees gain 

 hold upon the ground and begin a vig- 

 orous growth, the sun scalds the bark, 

 and borers enter. Newly transplanted 

 trees should be protected from the sun 

 by hay bands, or tree boxes, or even a 

 board secured to the trunk which will 

 prevent the hot sun from reaching it. 



In the City of Mexico are many large 

 ash trees, as also in other Mexican 

 towns, but I found none in native forests 

 of the republic. 



HOW TO GROW THE ASH. 



The Ash can only be produced from 

 seed, which, however, is produced in 

 greatest abundance. It begins to fall 

 soon after ripening in the autumn as 

 they are loosened by frost, yet many 

 seeds cling to the branches until early 

 winter. 



Seed should be gathered before it be- 

 gins to shatter, as it is quite tedious to 

 pick up from the ground ; besides, much 

 is scattered and lost if the wind is blow- 



ing. 



The seed of all Ashes in America have 

 a general similarity, yet each variety is 

 distinguished by the peculiar form of the 

 winged appendages. 



To be sure of having fresh seed and 

 of the variety desired it is necessary to 

 gather it or engage some collector to se- 

 cure it, and to place an order some time 

 in advance. 



The seed may be kept dry until spring, 

 when they should be planted in nursery 



