The Ashes 13T 



to all ashes and maples). Those of the white ash, however, stand out at a wider 

 angle than most of our native ashes and this gives them a cross-shaped appearance. 

 They are somewhat pinched or flattened at right angles to the bud. The upper 

 margin of the leaf -scar nearly surrounds the bud. 



The winter buds are large, rusty-brown, and smooth. The leaves are com- 

 pound, i.e., made up of several small leaflets. The leaf is 8 to 12 in. long and com- 

 posed of seven or nine leaflets 3 to 5 in. long. The leaflets have stems while those 

 of the black ash, with the exception of the end one, are practically stemless. They 

 usually have a smoother margin than those of any of the other native eastern ashe s 



The fruit is a winged seed that grows in clusters. The seed portion of the fruit 

 is round in cross-section. The wing is narrow, wedge-shaped, more or less pointed, 

 and not notched at the end, as a rule. 



White ash wood is valued chiefly on account of its toughness and elasticity. 

 It is used in the framework of light vehicles, cars, and agricultural implements and 

 for long-handled tools. The wood is also used for barrels, boxes, and veneer 

 baskets for foodstuffs, because of its additional quality of tastelessness and freedom 

 from odour. It has a wide variety of uses depending on these technical qualities. 



FRAXINUS PENNSYLVANICA, Marsh. RED ASH 



Common names: Red ash, soft ash, river ash, rim ash. 

 French names: Frene rouge, frene pubescent, frene de savanna. 



The red ash is found sparingly in Canada from southwestern Quebec throughout 

 southern Ontario. It is also reported in Manitoba near lakes Winnipeg and Winni- 

 pegosis and in the eastern portion of Saskatchewan., along the river bottoms. It is 

 confined mostly to the banks of streams and margins of swamps but will grow in 

 dry localities. 



It is a small tree, commonly 40 ft. high, which in general appearance resembles 

 the white ash. The fissures of the bark, however, are somewhat finer. The inner 

 bark has a reddish tinge. 



The twigs, which as a rule are downy, are one of its best distinguishing features. 

 They are finer than those of the white or black ashes and heavier or coarser than 

 those of the green ash. The sets of buds along the twigs occur more frequently than 

 is the case with the white or black ashes. 



The winter buds are covered with red hair and are darker and smaller than 

 those of the white ash. 



The leaf is composed of seven to nine leaflets and is 8 to 10 in. long The under- 

 sides of the leaflets and their stems are hairy. Their margins are slightly toothed 

 but often smooth below the middle. 



The fruit is a winged seed 1 to 2 in. long, shorter than that of the green ash. 

 The seed-bearing portion is rounded in cross-section. The wing is usually pointed 

 and not notched, and almost surrounds the seed. 



Red ash, when sawn into lumber, is usually used as a substitute for white ash. 

 It is weaker, more brittle, and liable to discolorations and defects. 



